Work in progress - encouraging cooperative learning in graduate engineering statistics courses

We are experimenting with using active and cooperative learning activities in our graduate engineering statistics courses. Although the activities seem to be effective for some students, others are resistant to working in groups. Informal teaming exercises work acceptably within a given class, but more formal team projects often elicit negative responses - especially when they have consequences for grading. In this paper, we review our experiences with cooperative learning at the graduate level, and report survey data about student reactions to formal and informal cooperation.