Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning refers to a strategy in which students paired in groups are expected to work together toward a common goal or outcome. In using this strategy:

• Teams are formed to maximize heterogeneity.
• Positive interdependence is reinforced through shared goals/rewards.
• Students have to be taught skills necessary to cooperate.
• The structure of each activity has to match the goals of the lesson.

To use Cooperative Learning, teachers have to:

• Create academic & cooperative learning objectives.
• Prepare all students for cooperative work.
• Carefully assign students to groups.
• Determine group parameters.
• Explain goals, rules, and procedures.
• Monitor all activities.
• Evaluate group & individual efforts.
• Discuss collaborative efforts with students

Students also need to be assigned cooperative learning roles:

• Reader: reads all print instructions and summarizes the activity
• Recorder: records all data, observations, predictions, and estimations
• Getter:  obtains and returns all lab equipment and materials
• Starter:  manipulates materials, supervises assembly of materials, and ensures all students are equally involved

When students with special needs are included in Cooperative Learning:

• Explain how to behave.
• Establish ways students can maximize learning and are not penalized for what they can’t do.
• Assign roles and groups carefully, and provide clear guidelines.
• Prepare others to support learning for all members of the group.
• Develop signals for students who have difficulty staying on-task.
• Monitor students consistently.