Discusses the evolution of state-level assessment activities of college graduates' skills/outcomes to provide a context for a proposed national system and examines extent and types of testing in six states. Addresses the purposes of postsecondary assessment and draws conclusions as to institutional support needed to sustain a collaborative system.…

Presents study results on the effects of students working in pairs on spelling in three different grades. Explains that students working individually were compared to students working in pairs. Reports less off-task behavior for the younger students working in pairs. Concludes that effort increases in pair work, but achievement increased only at…

Describes objectives and technical design of the NCSU (North Carolina State University) Digitized Document Transmission Project, a collaborative project among the NCSU libraries, the National Agricultural Library, and 11 land grant university libraries, which is exploring issues involved in developing network-based document delivery systems for…

Discusses the process of educational change at a small rural elementary school in Gosport, Indiana. A design team made up of school staff and community representatives is explained, and design team activities and presentations are described. The importance of effective communication is emphasized, and suggestions for community involvement are…

Describes a project in which students in a community college basic mathematics class worked collaboratively to write their own book on fractions. Students reinforced their math and cooperative skills, gained confidence, organized and revised their ideas, and created their own examples. Relates teacher and student responses to the project. (DMM)

Reviews literature on laboratory and field-based studies of cooperative learning, emphasizing field-tested methods that can increase the repertoire of effective teaching methodology. Several cooperative learning methods are summarized: student teams achievement divisions, teams-games-tournament, team-assisted individualization, circles of…

Examines how best to use cooperative learning in preschool classrooms. The article describes young children at play and discusses cooperative play (CP) and the development of social skills, the impact of CP, principles of implementing CP in preschool classrooms, and teacher role. (SM)

Cooperative learning (CL) needs direct instruction, because sitting students in close proximity does not ensure cooperation. The article explains how to promote CL with positive interdependence, individual accountability, and face-to-face interaction. It discusses group activities, explains advantages of CL to all involved, and notes possible…

Reports a study investigating the instructional use of microcomputers by secondary mathematics teachers, and discusses results from a sample of 128 completed questionnaires showing that computer utilization is hampered by inadequate access to equipment, lack of software appropriate to the mathematics curricula, and a lack of guidance for…

Discusses aspects of cooperative problem solving that include the selection of appropriate problems and the grading of group and individual papers using an analytical scoring scale. Offers six tips for grading cooperative problem solving. An appendix provides solutions to cited problems, potential follow-up questions, and an annotated…

Describes one fifth grade teacher's approach to the teaching of U.S. history. Reveals that the teacher limited breadth of coverage in favor of an approach that sought to connect themes and facts. Explains that the teacher incorporated language arts teaching, storytelling, writing assignments, and cooperative learning activities. (SG)

Many schools are trying to reconnect elements of schooling that have grown apart since one-room schoolhouse days. This article explores alternatives to tracking and specialized curricula, including instructional alignment, criterion-referenced tests, schoolwide instructional strategies (cooperative learning and computer-assisted instruction),…

Calls for a reassessment of the theory and practice of WAC programs in light of community college literacy problems. Compares the views of writing as a generic skill and a learning tool. Describes the Community College of Philadelphia's Writing within the Curriculum approach, which relies on writing groups. (DMM)

After receiving a state grant to buy telecommunications equipment, high school students in two Detroit-area schools communicate across racial boundaries using computers and fax machines. The "Connections" program was developed to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate on joint research projects and reports. (SM)

Discusses examinations as the major determinant of student behavior and suggests that no improvement in the effectiveness of biochemistry courses will occur until examinations are so integrated into the educational process that they reinforce educational objectives. Includes discussions on self-education, cooperation between students, and problem…