Dear Colleagues,

This issue of the newsletter is an occasion for great satisfaction as well as for some concern. Satisfaction comes from learning that cooperative learning continues to generate a considerable amount of research studies and that the number of countries adapting it is growing. The major article in this issue is by veteran cooperative learning researcher and author Shlomo Sharan, who reviews a significant sample of the research published in the last decade. He even includes the first study published in the year 2000. As you'll see when you read the article, recent research covers a wide range of concerns regarding the practice of cooperative learning in the classroom and in teacher training, and highlights some important problems in these areas. Sharan warns against over-generalizing from research results and poses many questions to be considered by researchers and practitioners of cooperative learning.

Some of the issues that concern researchers of teachers' learning and cooperative learning are dealt with in Evelyn Jacob's book Cooperative Learning in Context, reviewed by Celeste Brody. The emphasis in the book is not on methods but on how contextual aspects of teaching and learning affect educational innovation.

Two articles address the growing practice of cooperative learning in higher education. Fred Brandt reports on "Using Cooperative Learning in a University Inclusion Course" at Fordham University in NY State. Chris Poel outlines a plan for "Cooperative Learning in English Classes in Japanese Universities."

George Jacobs inaugurates two columns. In the first column, Brief Cases, mentions new books related to cooperative learning, and Angela O'Donnell describes her latest book, Cognitive Perspectives on Peer Learning. The second column, Word from the Web, shares relevant ideas from the Web. We hope these will become regular features of the Newsletter.

Again we have to say goodbye to old friends and welcome new ones. In the January 1999 issue of the newsletter Mara Sapon-Shevin, as co-president of the organization, wrote with warmth about Elizabeth Cohen, Liana Forest, Neil Davidson, and others who stepped down from their membership on the Board. Now Mara feels it's time for her to change the way she'll carry out her long-standing commitment to the organization. At the last IASCE conference Mara contributed her deep commitment to cooperative learning, her enthusiasm for the people involved, and for life in general to the success of the conference. Together with Mark Brubacher she mobilized us all to give our best in serious discussions about the future of the organization, in song and dance, and everything in between. Mara, we will try our best to continue working with your spirit and devotion in mind.

Maureen Breeze from England stepped in as the new Board Member. Maureen is the National Training & Education officer of Co-operative, the second-largest consumer co-operative in Britain. The Co-operative movement in Britain has a college in Leicestershire, to promote the concept and practice of co-operation in society. Maureen works closely with the Co-operative College, which holds an annual co-operative learning conference. Maureen is eager to create a connection between the IASCE and the International Co-operative Movement to further the application of co-operation in real life situations. Maureen can be reachefd at Maureen-Breeze@Co-operative.com.