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Letter from the Co-president February 2007 Dear Colleagues, IASCE is pleased to bring you the first member newsletter for 2007. This issue is full of good news and references to good work. First, the good news: In this issue, we include the official conference announcement of our upcoming, co-sponsored conference in Torino, Italy in January 2008. The conference strands look exciting and varied and we anticipate a lively exchange of ideas that will be greatly enhanced by our collaboration with the International Association for Intercultural Education and the University of Turin. We urge you to join us. And more good news . . . We are delighted to introduce a new board member, Kazuhiko Sekita. In our next newsletter, we expect to publish details of our upcoming co-sponsored conference in Japan. This conference is scheduled for June 2008 and will be a joint effort with the Japanese Association for the Study of Cooperation in Education (JASCE). IASCE is looking forward to celebrating our 30th birthday in Nagoya. Second, the good works: In this issue, we include reviews of three new books about cooperative learning and cooperative fun. Research by our friend in Singapore, Ivy Tan—with co-authors Christine Lee and Shlomo Sharan—another offering by our newsletter editor George Jacobs, and a volume by Dynamix—the folks who brought us movement, laughter, and serious fun in Manchester, UK—remind us how varied and vital contributions to the field continue to be. Yael Sharan, our Forum coordinator, has, once again, helped to develop a fascinating portrait of cooperative learning implementation. This story, from Turkey, chronicles the thinking and implementation of Emine Supcin, a fifth-grade teacher. Emine’s story reminds us of the need to set realistic goals for implementation and reminds us how important it is to think systemically about pedagogical reform. Thank you Emine. And more good works . . . The journal abstracts included in this issue are interesting and varied. When I think of them as a whole, I can’t help but be struck by several recurring themes: the importance of cultural relevance and sensitivity, the importance of the direct teaching of interpersonal and small-group skills, and the importance of modeling. These are lessons we all need to remember and ideas I am sure we will hear more about in Torino and in upcoming issues of our newsletter. And more good works . . . We want to thank you--our membership. Our conferences, newsletters, and website are supported by your membership dues. Please accept our thanks and please help us “spread the word” about our upcoming conference in Torino, Italy. Cooperatively yours, Lynda
Lynda Baloche
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