It takes getting used to for some, but most students eventually come to a very positive view. I have not seen many comments lately because I was up for tenure and promotion and evaluations were sent straight to the Dean. Some benefited from it, but nobody was harmed by it. More successful in algebra than teacher education. The only negative reactions have been from better students who don t think they should have to work with other students.
Students generally seem to like it a lot.
It has a very beneficial effect on student attitudes. I have found that even 10 minutes out of a 90 minute class period of a sort of mini-lecture seems to put students at ease. After that short lecture they then have an extremely condensed outline of the section that helps them get an idea of what relevant properties, theorems, etc. are available to them in solving the problems I give them. Students always want to work with their friends. When you match them with strangers, they are more honest about other people s performance.