Title: Cooperative learning is one of several teaching strategies that use social interaction as the primar
1Cooperative Learning
- Cooperative learning is one of several teaching
strategies that use social interaction as the
primary mechanism for helping students learn
2Cooperative Learning
- Involves students working in established groups
or teams usually over a long period of time. - The students are evaluated individually.
All for one, one for allAlexandre Dumas
3Cooperative Learning
- Groups can be formed for a short term basis to
accomplish specific tasks. Ex. Study new
material, solve a problem, or complete a project. - Or groups can be formed to work toward long term
classroom goals. Ex. Work on a semester long
project, help one another with classroom notes,
clarify assignments, and provide support for each
other.
4Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- Students work in small teacher assigned groups.
- Three to four students
- Groups should be heterogeneous
- Formed by teacher
- Include high achievers as well as low achievers
- Males and female
- Various ethnic backgrounds
5Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- Groups have one or more common goals.
- At the beginning of a group activity the teacher
should specify clearly what each group should
accomplish.
6Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- Students are given clear guidelines about
behavior. - Listen to others politely and attentively.
- Give encouragement to others.
- Make sure everyone has an equal chance to
participate. - Refrain from insulting or yelling at others.
- Offer assistance to others.
- Ask clear questions when you do not understand.
7Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- Group members are dependent on one another for
their success. - Group tasks should be structured so that each
students success depends on the help and
participation of other group members. - Each group member must believe it is to his
advantage that other group members do well. - Each student should have a function within the
group. For ex. Leader, timekeeper, note taker,
or critic.
8Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- A structure is provided to encourage productive
learning behaviors. - When students are novices at this it is helpful
to provide step-by-step instructions to guide
their efforts.
9Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- The teacher serves as a resource and monitor.
- Teacher monitors the groups to ensure that
interactions are productive and appropriate. - Teacher provides assistance to group but not to
much Students will talk less when the teacher
joins the group.
10Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- Students are individually accountable for their
achievement. - Each student must demonstrate mastery of the
groups goals. - This can be accomplished by taking a quiz or
answering questions in class.
11Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- At the completion of an activity, each group
evaluates its effectiveness. - Once the group has accomplished its goal, it
analyzes and critiques it self. - With the assistance of the teacher.
- How it functioned effectively.
- Ways in which it needs to improve.
12Common Features of Cooperative Learning
- Students are rewarded for group success.
- When used, group rewards in addition to
individual rewards often promote higher
achievement overall. - Students have an interest in helping one another
learn.
13The Formation of the Cooperative Learning Group
- Results from research studies regarding the make
up of the cooperative learning group have been
mixed. - One problem with heterogeneous groups is that
ability levels among students become more
obvious. - High ability students are apt to dominate
discussions and may discourage low-ability
students from participating. - Low-ability students may be reluctant to ask for
help, or they may sit back and let others do most
or all of the work. - If the group fails the high ability students may
resent and blame those who contributed little or
nothing to the group.
14The Formation of the Cooperative Learning Group
- Some studies indicate that heterogeneous groups
benefit both high ability and low ability
students. - High ability students can sharpen their
understanding of the material by explaining it to
their classmates, - Low ability students benefit from hearing their
peers explanations. - Middle ability students do better when placed
with either high ability ( who can help them
learn) or low ability students ( who they can
help learn).
15Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning Research
has shown that cooperative learning activities
are effective in many ways.
- Students of all ability levels show higher
academic achievement. - Females, minorities, and students at risk are
especially likely to show increased achievement
(Qin, Johnson Johnson, 1995). - Promotes higher level thinking skills, students
think out loud, modeling various learning and
problem-solving strategies for one another.
16Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning
- Students become motivated to learn.
- Students believe they have a better chance of
being successful. - Students participate more actively in class.
- Students frequently engage in pro-social
behavior. - Students resolve interpersonal conflicts.
- Students encourage and support one another.
- Friendships between students with and without
disabilities are likely to form.
17Disadvantages of Cooperative Learning
- Some students may do most of the work and talking
and learn more than other group members. - The group may use an incorrect method or
strategy. - The students may not have the skills to help one
another learn. - To promote maximum learning the teacher must keep
a close eye on the group discussions and
interactions providing support and guidance when
necessary. -
18Cooperative Learning References
- Johnson, D. W., Johnson, R. T. (1991).
Learning together and alone Cooperative ,
competitive , and individualistic learning (3rd
ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ Prentice Hall. - Qin, Z., Johnson, D. W., Johnson, R. T. (1995).
Cooperative versus competitive efforts and
problem solving. Review of Educational Research,
65, 129-143. - Slavin, R. E., (1990). Cooperative learning
Theory, research, and practice. Upper Saddle
River, NJ Prentice Hall. - Web sites
- Cooperative Learning Response to Diversity.
http//www.cde.ca.gov/1asa/cooplrng2.html - Cooperative Learning. The Building Tool Room.
http//www.newhorizons.org/trm_cooplrn.html - Education Research Consumer Guide. (June 1992).
Cooperative Learning. U.S. Department of
Education. Office of Educational Research and
Improvement. http//www.ed.gov/pubs/OR/ConsumerGui
des/cooplear.html - ERIC Digest. (1988). Cooperative Learning
Strategies and Children. U.S. Department of
Education. Office of Educational Research and
Improvement. http//ericae.net/db/edo/ED306003.htm
19The End