References Bonwell, C. C., & Eison, J. A. (1991, September). Active learning: Creating excitement in the classroom (ERIC No.

ED340272). Retrieved from http://www.ericdigests.org/-4/.htm The authors, well-known educational researchers, share data to support their thesis in active learning in the classroom. They analyze why active learning is important and give advice on how to implement it in the classroom. Their stance is that it is important to implement active learning in the classroom to accommodate the different learning styles and development of students. Charles C. Bonwell, directed Centers for Teaching and Learning at the Saint Louis College of Pharmacy and Southeast Missouri State University. He is an instructional consultant and has given over 200 workshops on active learning. James A. Eison is a psychologist and professor and has focused on instructional strategies and techniques. This report has several important facts and input on encouraging active learning. It will be a great resource because it is a good source of information on implementing this type of learning and why it is important in a classroom (Bonwell & Eison, 1991). Burford, S., & Cooper, L. (2011). Elements of collaborative learning. Retrieved February 1, 2011, from Flinders University website: http://www.socsci.flinders.edu.au///.php# This website analyzes the elements of collaborative learning and explains the importance of each element. One of the authors, Sally Burford is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Canberra. She is a foundation of a collaborative research group and has headed several research projects in this area. Lesley Cooper teaches in the social work program at Flinders University and has won the Vice-Chancellors Awards for Excellence in Teaching. The authors state the importance of collaborative learning

focus on the elements that make this approach a success. Using this work as a tool to implement collaborative learning in my classroom will enhance my ability to teach the students in the proper way (Burford and Cooper, 2011). Smith, B. L., & MacGregor, J. T. (1992). What is collaborative learning? Retrieved from Washington Center for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education website: http://learningcommons.evergreen.edu//.pdf The authors present information and examples about using collaborative learning in the classroom. They provide examples and an in-depth look at the different types of collaborative learning and the advantages of the approach. They have given the approachs advantages and disadvantages to give us a full understanding of this learning approach. They have summarized other research studies and have provided details concerning their own research and studies. They offer their input on ways to implement collaborative learning and why they feel it is a good approach to learning. Barbara Leigh Smith is a Senior Scholar at The Evergreen State College. She also founded and directed the Washington Center for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education, a state-supported consortium of 48 of Washingtons colleges and universities. She has published numerous papers about learning communities. Jean T. MacGregor is also a Senior Scholar at The Evergreen State College. She co-directed the National Learning Communities Project and has launched several curricular learning community initiatives. She consults at several universities and has written many papers on collaborative learning. In 2003, Smith and Jean MacGregor) won the Virginia B. Smith Leadership for outstanding leadership in higher education. This paper will be a great asset to understanding collaborative

learning and will be a great influence in my classroom environment. (MacGregor & Smith, 1992).