Advance Organizer 7

(Cooperative Learning)

Johnson, Johnson, & Stanne. (1986). Comparison of computer-assisted cooperative, competitive, and individualistic learning.

1. Why was this study conducted? What were the goals of this study? What were the variables?

2. Summarize the results of the experiment.

3. What do the findings of this study suggest for computer-assisted instruction?

1. What are some general advantages of cooperative learning, according to some research (e.g., Johnson & Johnson)? Why might cooperative learning work effectively with computers?

2. What variables or learning issues have studies involving cooperative learning with computers looked at? What were the general findings of these studies?

3. What do the findings of the studies on cooperative learning suggest about computer implementation in the public schools? Can you make inferences about how these findings affect college level learning? How about learning in the workplace?

Bowen, Bereiter, & Scardamalia. (1991). Computer-supported intentional learning environments.

1. Describe the difference between knowledge reproduction strategies and knowledge building strategies.

2. According to Scardamalia & Bereiter, what are problems with the traditional transmission model of instruction? What are the typical ways that computers are implemented into the classroom? What are problems with these forms of computer-assisted instruction?

3. What improvements does knowledge building make over traditional/typical methods of instruction? According to the authors, why have public schools not typically used the knowledge-building model?

4. What characteristics of knowledge-building communities make the authors optimistic about them as models for learning? How does the knowledge-building model compare to how you learn?

5. Describe as best you can how CSILE is implemented in a typical school. What are some problems with the current implementation of CSILE?

6. List some important learning processes addressed by CSILE? How does CSILE create a knowledge-building environment?

7. How are knowledge-building communities (in general) and CSILE (specifically) similar to cooperative learning as described in Johnson et al. and Rysavy & Sales? How are they different?

ID and T page for 7W:135 (March 7, 1997).
Design and code by David Klein.
Copyright © 1997 by the University of Iowa.
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