Sample Cooperative Learning Activities

Here are two sample cooperative learning activities from Green and Craigen, 1996

Think Pair Share

This simple activity involves asking members of a group to think privately about a question, problem, or ideas from assigned readings etc. Then two individuals are paired to discuss their respective ideas, or answers. Finally, these ideas are shared with the whole group.

Place Mat

This activity is slightly more complex than the previous example of cooperative learning. I have used it with good results in a variety of learning situations.

Example:

Academic Learning

• Strategies to address concerns related to teaching learning situations

Social Learning

• Active Listening
• Consensus Building

Steps

1. Draw a design on a piece of flipchart paper that resembles a placemat. Make sure the paper is divided into four quadrants with a fifth square in the center. See the placemat diagram in your print materials.

2. Divide participants into groups of four. Assign roles to each group member in the following way:

1. Recorder
This person will record the main points of the discussion

2. Facilitator
This person will ensure that ideas are heard, responded to etc.

3. Time Keeper
This person will keep track of the time, and keep the group on task

4. Materials Manager
This person will gather the materials required to start the activity such as the flipchart paper, marking pen, tape etc. This person is also responsible for drawing a placemat on a fresh sheet of flipchart paper.

3. Explain the learning activity in the following way:

• Ask the participants to consider their most pressing concerns related to teaching. Ask each member of the group to think about this privately, and then to add his/her ideas to one quadrant on the placemat. Total time to do this is 4 minutes
  
• Ask the participants to then share their concerns with the group. As a group, make a decision regarding which concern you wish to address. Discuss strategies you might employ to resolve this particular concern. Record your suggestions on the center of the placemat. Total time to do this is 7 minutes.
  

4. Post the flipchart paper and report back to the larger group. Any member of the group may be asked to report.

5. At the end of the reporting, have the groups spend a few minutes analyzing how the group process worked for them.

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