In this webinar, Dr. Drew Gitomer, professor at Rutgers University, shared results from recent studies of classroom observations that helped participants understand both general findings about the qualities of classroom interactions and also the challenges to carrying out valid and reliable observations. This Q&A addressed the questions…

Most educators advocate cooperative learning in the curriculum. Heterogeneous grouping is also recommended so that students with mixed achievement levels work in a committee setting. Cooperative endeavors stress democracy as a way of life, according to many educators, as compared to competition in the classroom. This paper examines the philosophy…

Focusing on problems in the teaching/learning process related to the classroom atmosphere, this book demonstrates problems related to gender bias in the classroom, discusses the implications of these and other problems, and offers suggestions for improving the teaching/learning environment. The first section describes the importance of classroom…

Focuses on the use of cooperative learning in the music classroom to teach the National Standards for Music Education. Discusses how to create groups and other practical matters of cooperative learning that need to be addressed by teachers. Includes a bibliography of resources to assist teachers using cooperative learning. (CMK)

The practicum is an important part of teacher education and has been widely studied from a variety of perspectives, including teacher candidates, associate or cooperating teachers, and supervisors. In this issue of "Studying Teacher Education," each author has written a self-study describing a personal journey of coming to understand…

In 2001, Marc Prensky introduced a new metaphor to the educational landscape. He suggested that the rising generation were growing up in a time so filled with new media that they were "digital natives," while those born earlier were "digital immigrants." In this view, because the digital natives are growing up immersed in a sea…

Reviews research literature that defines cooperative learning and substantiates many educational benefits to be derived from it. Outlines eight selected cooperative learning methods. Reports that research shows cooperative learning methods improve students' academic achievement, self-esteem, and social skills. Also suggests that cooperative…

The positive and negative elements of six educational reforms are discussed: search for excellence; cooperative learning; middle schools; master teacher certification; site-based management; and accountability. Gifted educators are urged to promote these reform movements for the maximum benefit of all. (Author/JDD)

This research commentary offers a rationale for focusing on individual students with learning disabilities (rather than teacher beliefs and behaviors or general achievement) in elementary grade cooperative learning settings. This focus resulted in the finding that many of these students were not having successful experiences and identified…

There is a growing movement to silence those mathematics teacher educators who firmly stand up for the rights of students who are Indigenous, Latinx, and Black. In this article, Rochelle Gutiérrez argues that rather than being intimidated or slowing down their work, mathematics teachers need to be even clearer in their mission to dismantle White…

Jan Herrington is a Professor of Education at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, where she teaches educational technology in the School of Education, including a compulsory first year unit called "Living and Learning with Technology." She has been active in the promotion and support of the effective use of educational…

On the subject of identity crises which we all face from time to time, The late James Hillman, a maverick Jungian psychologist, summed up the problem this way: "Today's main paradigm for understanding a human life, the interplay of genetics and environment, omits something essential the particularity you feel to be you." In his 1996…

Delia Pompa's distinguished career in education policy has focused on the needs of immigrant students and English learners. She is a senior fellow for education policy at the Migration Policy Institute and was previously senior vice president for programs at the National Council of La Raza (now UnidosUS) and director of education for the…

Over the past two decades, researchers have gathered a wealth of evidence showing the critical roles that emotional intelligence plays in education, work, and life. But what does it look like to translate that research into practice? In this interview, Yale University's Marc Brackett takes stock of recent efforts to help K-12 educators address the…

Points on teaching students to be creative, practical techniques used to help creativity flourish, and the role of creativity in learning in the outdoor classroom are explored. Suggestions for encouraging creativity in the outdoors to occur are: to make use of the ample assortment of ways the outdoor environment can stimulate each student; to…