Collaborative learning and multimedia

th the state, of "one c o m p u t e r er s tuden t ' decades seemngly cen tu r i e s off, viable alternatives are under scrutiny. The search is fur ther fueled by an exponent ia l array of sophis t ica ted sof tware wi th concu r ren t simplif ication of ha rdware . The we l l s chedu l ed c o m p u t e r lab, which provides limited c o m p u t e r training and even less sub jec t ma t te r ins t ruction, ha s for the m o s t pa r t been the answer. While grouping s t u d e n t s in w h a t is typically referred to as "collaborative l ea rn ing , " or " coope ra t i ve l ea rn ing , " a r o u n d a single c o m p u t e r occurs , we have until recently known little a b o u t the effect iveness of th is a r rangement . Collaborative learning (outside of the c o m p u t e r lab) ha s t radi t ional ly me t wi th grea t a ccep t ance and had posit ive resui ts . And in the c o m p u t e r lab, collaborative learning h a s to some degree b e e n med ia t ed by the very lack of compu te r s . Howeve r , m a n y e d u c a t o r s n o w f ind themse lves s tumbl ing th rough efforts a t "collaborative envi ronment -bui ld ing" in n e w l y e n d o w e d c o m p u t e r l abs . Th i s s tumbl ing likely r e su l t s f rom the direct appl icat ion of r e sea r ch f indings on collaborat ive learning in the classroom, to col laborat ive learning in the computer lab; a p ro found ly p r e s u m p t u o u s gener Dr. Lookatch is an Educational Psychologist wi th the Agency for Instructional Technology, a non-profit organization producing instructional television, video and mult imedia for teachers, parents and children. Dr. Lookatch has authored numerous educational programs and publications.