This study examined 26 third-grade teachers' use and evaluation of cooperative learning (CL) groups and 38 students' reactions to and verbal interactive behaviors during CL in two classes. Surveys indicated that both groups reported using CL almost daily, with many positive academic, social, and attitude outcomes. Most student interactions were…

Six issues to consider when colleges make placement decisions for prestudent teaching and student teaching are diversity, collaboration, cooperating teacher preparation, challenging beliefs, mentor matching, and clustering. A study of current North American placement practices is examined. Implications of the six considerations for teacher…

A cooperative learning approach in business administration courses is described, including projects and activities for three course types: management science; operations management; and mathematics education. Adaptation of the activities for specific classes is discussed, and student response to the method in one institution is examined. The…

Describes the teacher preparation program at Colin County Community College District (CCCCD), Texas, the first community college program in the nation authorized to prepare teachers. Also reports that Texas A&M University-Commerce has joined with CCCCD to provide a bridge between the community college program and graduate degrees at the…

Examines the purpose and place of Professional Development Schools (PDSs) and laboratory schools in today's educational reform and restructuring efforts, proposing an integrated model intended to create positive working relationships between PDSs and laboratory schools which could promote closer working relationships and improved opportunities for…

Explored students' perceptions of learning experiences in an online and a face-to-face section of the same university course. Qualitative data from students and the instructor showed the importance of peer interaction and cooperative learning environments; difficulties and benefits of Web-based instruction; and the importance of the affective…

Explores how to teach religion in the social studies classroom in public schools. Asserts that religion should be taught to educate children about beliefs that differ from their own and about the role of religion in U.S. society. Provides suggestions for teaching about religion to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. (CMK)

A study examined preservice teachers' professional "risk taking" during student teaching with regard to experimenting with cooperative learning. Classroom observations and interviews with 14 preservice teachers who were student teaching in Quebec high schools indicated that risk taking and innovation depended on support received during…

Recommends the adoption of cooperative learning techniques in history courses. Argues that cooperative learning facilitates critical thinking, democratic values, student participation, and improved retention. Illustrates this with examples from European, United States, and African American survey courses. (MJP)

An action research project examined open meetings in four elementary classrooms. Open meetings allowed class members and teachers to discuss topics important to the group. Interaction data, meeting videotapes, and student and teacher interviews indicated that all participants considered open meetings in classrooms an effective pedagogical method.…

Describes the use of theme cycles with a group of inner-city high school students with hearing impairments. Discusses the theoretical background of the thematic approach and describes the implementation process of a group learning cycle including false starts, question posing and data collection, teacher and student interaction, and final shared…

Discusses strategies for successful inclusion of children with disabilities in general education classrooms. Describes necessary components and practices, including cooperative learning, strategy instruction, differentiated instruction, self-determination, explicit instruction, curriculum-based assessment, generalization techniques, collaboration,…

Describes a Calculus I project in which students discover the formula for the derivative of an exponential function. The project includes two targeted writing assignments and leads to several additional problems. Together these tasks provide a basis for an algebraic approach to the exponential function. (AIM)

Provides German language activities based on the World Wide Web that help create a student-centered classroom and that give high school students practical insights into life in a foreign country, focusing on cooperative learning skills. The lesson plan includes site location, objectives, teacher preparation, and assessment. Worksheets are…

One of five articles in the second section, "Deepening Relationships through PDS Brings Change in Practice," this article describes how a university department chair and several faculty members met regularly with rural school faculty for dialog about improving school/university relationships and teacher education. (SM)