Cooperative Learning
Engaging students in the learning process is the job of the teacher. The problem is knowing what methods work best to ensure your students engage with the material. There are multiple ways to engage students in learning. In this chapter, we will look at grouping strategies that can be used to elicit the type of engagement from students that you desire.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe the benefits of cooperative learning.
- Explain how to design, implement, and assess cooperative learning experiences.
- Use various grouping strategies such as:
- Think-Pair-Share
- Reciprocal Learning
- Jigsaw
Cooperative Learning*
Cooperative learning is students working together to “attain group goals that cannot be obtained by working alone or competitively” (Johnson, Johnson, & Holubec, 1986). The main purpose of cooperative learning is to actively involve students in the learning process. It is a process that requires knowledge to be discovered by students and transformed into concepts to which the students can relate. Learning takes place through dialog among students in a social setting. Each team member is responsible for learning the material and also for helping the other members of the team learn. Dean et al. (2012) assert that positive interdependence and individual accountability are critical components of cooperative learning. Students must realize their effort is necessary for the group to be successful and that each individual will be held accountable for their contributions and meeting the learning goals.
Background*
Cooperative learning is a methodology that employs a variety of learning activities to improve students’ understanding of a subject by using a structured approach that involves a series of steps, requiring students to create, analyze, and apply concepts (Kagan, 1990). Cooperative learning utilizes the ideas of Vygotsky, Piaget, and Kohlberg in that both the individual and the social setting are active dynamics in the learning process as students attempt to imitate real-life learning. By combining teamwork and individual accountability, students work toward acquiring both knowledge and social skills. It is a teaching strategy that allows students to work in small groups with individuals of various talents, abilities, and backgrounds to accomplish a common goal. As a result, they frame new concepts by basing their conclusions on prior knowledge. This process results in a deeper understanding of the material and more potential to retain the material.
Pre-implementation*
After deciding to implement cooperative learning (CL), the biggest challenge will be planning and preparing the classroom and students for CL. According to Johnson, Johnson, and Smith (1991), there are several tasks that an instructor must accomplish before implementing cooperative learning in the classroom. This section will detail those responsibilities.
Specify Instructional Objectives (academic and so