Research - cooperative learning in small groups

How do students behave, learn and interact with each other when they work in small groups, and what difference does teaching students how to collaborate make? This Australian study investigated the effects of cooperative learning (a non-traditional approach) on 223 Grade 9 students (age 14 years) as they worked on mathematics problem-solving activities. The students worked in either structured groups (where they were taught how to communicate and cooperate with each other) or unstructured groups (where they were simply placed in groups and expected to work together).