This paper is an overview of cooperative learning and its application at the college level. Cooperative learning is defined as occuring when small groups of students work together to maximize their own and each other's learning. The essential elements of cooperative learning include positive interdependence, face-to-face interaction, individual accountability, interpersonal skills, and group processing. The benefits include providing students opportunities to learn from others in informal interactions, social learning that enlightens students to the differences and similarities among individuals in an informal atmosphere, the opportunity for students to practice a collaborative team model, and the experience of positive team interactions. Additional benefits include interactions in which critical thinking skills are used to come to necessary resolutions and the opportunity to cognitively incorporate theoretical concepts through practical application. Instructors also benefit, gaining insights into their students' learning not usually measurable by traditional classroom activities and assessments. Examples of models used with cooperative learning groups include "turn to your partner and...", "think, pair, and share", and "triads with speakers and listeners." Evaluation methods in cooperative learning include student journal writing, student learning logs, and student-instructor conferences. Examples of student journal responses and student learning log comments are included as appendices. (JLS)