| This study describes the use of some cooperative learning techniques in teaching mathematics to adult basic education students in a community college access program. The students in the program were from many different communities, and possessed varying levels of mathematical understanding, consequently cooperative techniques enabled students to share mathematical knowledge and in addition provided some social support. The newly implemented adult education mathematics program, which advocates a constructivist approach to learning, offers opportunities for cooperative and collaborative problem solving. Five elements of cooperative learning guided the study, which took place in a class of 23 students during one semester of the mathematics course.;The results of this study, compiled from student feedback in learning journals and questionnaires, and from the facilitator's recorded observations, indicate that the use of cooperative learning strategies can influence student learning. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
