THE EFFECTS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING AND LEARNER CONTROL ON HIGH-ABILITY AND AVERAGE-ABILITY STUDENTS

The effects of studying alone or in cooperative learning groups on hig h- and average-ability students were investigated. Also examined were the effects of completing computer-based instruction using either a le arner- or program-control version of a lesson. A total of 175 fourth-g rade students were classified as being of high or average ability and randomly assigned to paired or individual treatments stratified by abi lity. Students completed training to enhance small-group interaction b efore completing a computer-based tutorial and a posttest. Following c ooperative learning, students demonstrated increased achievement and e fficiency as well as better attitudes toward both the computer lesson and grouping. Students completed more practice items and examples in p rogram-control treatments than in learner-control treatments. However, the form of lesson control did not affect students' achievement or at titudes.