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50 Years of ERIC
50 Years of ERIC
The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is celebrating its 50th Birthday! First opened on May 15th, 1964 ERIC continues the long tradition of ongoing innovation and enhancement.

Learn more about the history of ERIC here. PDF icon

Showing all 7 results
Social Basis of Learning: From Small-Group Learning to Learning Communities
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Smith, Karl A. – New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2010
The social basis of learning is a concept that has been embraced by the higher educating community. Since the 1980s, there has been exciting growth and the development of specific practices that better engage students in academic content. The purpose of this review of the social basis of learning is to summarize contributions on this topic to the…
Descriptors: Theory Practice Relationship, Cooperative Learning, Educational Practices, Literature Reviews
Supportive Teaching and Learning Strategies in STEM Education
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Smith, Karl A.; Douglas, Tameka Clarke; Cox, Monica F. – New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2009
The 1996 Advisory Committee report to the National Science Foundation, "Shaping the Future: New Expectations for Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and Technology," called for many changes in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. The committee's overriding recommendation was that "all…
Descriptors: Undergraduate Study, Science Education, Technology Education, Engineering Education
Going Deeper: Formal Small-Group Learning in Large Classes.
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Smith, Karl A. – New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2000
Describes formal, intensive small group activities in large college classes, as well as initiatives to redesign courses around small-group learning. Strategies include "jigsaw," structured controversy, problem-based cooperative learning, and restructured lecture-recitation-laboratory activities. Notes basis of such strategies in constructivist…
Descriptors: Classroom Techniques, College Instruction, Constructivism (Learning), Cooperative Learning
Implementing Small-Group Instruction: Insights from Successful Practitioners.
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Cooper, James L.; MacGregor, Jean; Smith, Karl A.; Robinson, Pamela – New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2000
College faculty who have successfully implemented small-group instruction address common concerns such as: reduced content coverage, reduced amount of learning, need for prerequisite learning, importance of solitary learning, colleagues' concerns, student resistance, logistics, evaluation, use of teaching assistants, and time requirements. (DB)
Descriptors: College Faculty, College Instruction, Grouping (Instructional Purposes), Higher Education
Making Small-Group Learning and Learning Communities a Widespread Reality.
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Smith, Karl A.; MacGregor, Jean – New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2000
Identifies resources for information about small-group learning and learning communities within large classes at the college level. These include institutional and grass roots initiatives, print and Web sites on theory and rationale for small-group learning, general resources on cooperative and small- group learning, general resources on large…
Descriptors: College Instruction, Grouping (Instructional Purposes), Higher Education, Information Sources
Grading Cooperative Projects.
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Smith, Karl A. – New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 1998
College faculty can minimize problems in grading students' cooperative projects by carefully structuring the five basic elements of formal cooperative learning groups: positive interdependence; individual and group accountability; face-to-face promotive interaction; teamwork skills; and group processing. There must also be sufficient reason for…
Descriptors: Accountability, Assignments, Cooperative Learning, Evaluation Criteria
Cooperative Learning: Making "Groupwork" Work.
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Smith, Karl A. – New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 1996
Cooperative learning is the use of small student groups as teams to accomplish a common goal, emphasizing positive interdependence, individual and group accountability, face-to-face interaction, team skills, and group processing. Using formal cooperative learning groups at the college level requires planning, monitoring of students' learning,…
Descriptors: Active Learning, Class Activities, Classroom Techniques, College Instruction