USING COOPERATIVE LEARNING TO ENHANCE THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL EXPERIENCES OF FRESHMAN STUDENT-ATHLETES

One hundred seven freshman student athletes in 17 different women's an d men's intercollegiate sports were required to attend evening study s essions. The student athletes completed academic assignments and studi ed for tests primarily in cooperative learning groups. As gauges of th e program's impact on the participants, 3 questionnaires were administ ered to a sample of 50 (25 women and 25 men). The respondents reported that (a) they worked cooperatively on academic assignments, (b) the p rogram staff provided both academic and personal support while structu ring and facilitating cooperative learning groups, and (c) they themse lves were highly task oriented, confident of their academic ability, a nd involved in positive and supportive relationships with their fellow participants.