Cooperative Learning

“Cooperative Learning”

Students work together in small groups and learn through interaction with each other while the teacher coaches the process.

5 Major Phases

1. Organize student teams with clearly defined roles
2. Facilitate team activities, including academic learning, social skills & cooperative behavior
3. Assess student knowledge throughout the process and/or by team presentations
4. Recognize both group & individual efforts such as active participation and taking responsibility for learning

Phase 1:  Goals, Hook & Introduction

ž  The 3 instructional goals of cooperative learning are:

1.     Academic achievement,

2.    Tolerance and acceptance of diversity, and

3.    Development of social skills

ž  Consider how you will communicate these goals in your introduction

Phase 2:  Teams and Roles

ž  Organize materials, learning experiences and small group activities by paying attention to 4 key features:

1.     Form heterogeneous teams

2.    How students will work together in small groups (Student Teams, Jigsaw, Group Investigation, Think-Pair-Share)

3.    How behavior and results will be recognized or rewarded

4.    Realistic time estimate

Think-Pair-Share

Cooperative Learning Roles May Include

ž  Group recorder

ž  Materials collector

ž  Reporter

ž  Final copy scribe

ž  Illustrator           

ž  Timekeeper

ž  Cheerleader/      Facilitator

ž  Monitor

ž  Messenger

Phase 3:  Facilitate learning, social skills & cooperative learning

ž  Help with Transitions

ž  Teach Cooperation

—  Task Interdependence

—  Social Skills

○     Sharing Skills

○     Participation Skills

—  Communication Skills

—  Group Skills

○     Team Building

—  Teaching Social and Group Skills

Phase 4:  Assess Throughout and/or with Presentations

ž  Test Academic Learning

ž  Assess Cooperation

ž  Grade Cooperative Learning

ž  Recognize Cooperative Effort

Phase 5:  Recognize Group & Individual Efforts

ž  Find ways to highlight group presentations by displaying results prominently in room.

ž  Maybe invite guests to hear final reports.

ž  Consider summarizing results through newsletters or other forums.

ž  Each individual makes some kind of unique contribution – highlight those.

During today’s activities

ž  Look for ways the learning experiences could be adapted for your students into cooperative learning activities

ž  Choose 1 representative to record ideas for each of the 5 phases

ž  Be prepared to share these ideas with the rest of us.