Cooperative Learning
| Elements of Cooperative
Learning Sample Cooperative Learning Activity General Discussion Test Your Understanding |
What is cooperative learning?
Cooperative Learning is an instructional strategy which involves both:
- Academic Learning
- Social Learning
It is a structured form of group learning with specific elements that must be incorporated in order to considered cooperative learning.
Why use Cooperative Learning?
Research shows that cooperative learning results in :
- higher self esteem
- higher achievement
- greater use of higher level reasoning
- greater ability to work collaboratively
(D.Johnson, R. Johnson, and K.Smith, 1991)
For those of you in the college system, , these are precisely the generic skills that all college level students are required to develop prior to graduating from two and three year diploma programs.
Typically, student interaction patterns involve three types:
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Let’s compare these categories to better illustrate the differences in the interaction patterns.
Imagine that you are teaching a mathematics class and have asked the students to solve some math problems.
| Competitive/Individualistic Instruction | Cooperative Learning Instruction |
| You have 30 minutes to solve these math problems on your own. Submit your answers at the end of this time. | Your team has 30 minutes to complete the set of math problems. Your group will submit one answer sheet. Each person will sign the sheet to indicate that you all agree and can explain the answer if called upon to do so. Be sure to help one another understand the work. |
Basic Elements of Cooperative Learning
There are five basic elements of cooperative learning which include the following:
- Positive Interdependence
The group is structured so that in order for the group to succeed, each individual member must succeed. For example, each group member may be assigned a role to carry out such as recorder, reporter, checker, encourager, etc.
- Individual Accountability
Each member of the group has a specific responsibility . This tends to diminish the problem of members not carrying their fair share of the workload.
- Face to Face Interaction
This element suggests that cooperative learning takes place when individuals are facing each other. Despite this requirement, there are a number of cooperative learning proponents who claim that this strategy can be very effectively used in computer conferencing environments.
- Social Skills
This element places an emphasis on social skill development during each learning activity. For example, while students may be learning an academic concept, they are also focusing on developing a social skill such as consensus building. The skill to be addressed is identified during the learning session.
- Processing
As part of cooperative learning, time is built in to process or evaluate how well the learning of both content and social skills was achieved. For example, at the end of a learning activity, students would ask each other questions such as:
Did we meet our goal for learning?
Did we manage to build a consensus?
If not, why not? What could we do better next time?
These elements are considered central to this strategy. They need to be incorporated into a learning activity.
Would you like to see a sample cooperative learning activity ?
General Discussion
For a web resource on cooperative learning activities try this Cooperative/Collaborative Learning site and follow the links entitled "C/CL Lessons and Activities."
I have used some of these strategies on a number of occasions, and generally found them to work quite well.
One of my colleagues used cooperative learning strategies for a class of 90 students in a semester long course entitled "The Practice of Nursing."
She reported that much time was spent in planning the learning activities. As well, considerable time was spent meeting with the students in small groups to discuss their progress, and group dynamic problems. Despite some of the difficulites, she was amazed at the type of learning which occurred.. Students did presentations, held debates, engaged in indepth discussion and analysis of the readings, and according to her, learned far more than in a conventional lecture course.
This teacher used cooperative learning throughout the entire course. Others suggest starting with a few simple strategies, and then progressing toward more complex activities. Learners require time to learn the strategies themselves, and to learn to work in this structured format with other participants.
Cooperative learning strategies are sometimes cited as ways to foster inclusive learning environments. The emphasis on working collaboratively, in teams can help to enhance learning with diverse groups of learners, and to generate respect and appreciation for different backgrounds and experiences of learners. It has further been argued that cooperative learning, as opposed to competitive learning, resonates more with cultures in which cooperative activities are emphasized. (Meyers, and Jones, 1993, Creating Inclusive Post-Secondary Learning Environments,1996).
In any case, cooperative learning does seem to shift the role of the teacher from that of " transmitter of knowledge", to that of facilitator, by ensuring that learners become more actively engaged in their own learning.
If you wish to view an Active Discussion related to Cooperative Learning try this site.
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Self Assessment |
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