Cooperative Learning

1. Cooperative Learning On-Line  2003 JoAnn Warren

2. Cooperative Learning • Students working in “cooperative learning groups” learn more, understand more and remember more material.  They feel better about themselves, the class and classmates.  David Johnson and others in Cooperative Learning: Increasing College Faculty Instructional Productivity • Getting students involved in their education experience requires:  • faculty-student interaction and • student-student interaction.  Alexander Astin (What Matters in College, 1993)  2003 JoAnn Warren

3. Require Student Involvement • Discussions • Appoint student facilitators of discussion • Debates • Teams Debate a controversial issue • Projects • Teams work cooperatively together on projects  2003 JoAnn Warren

4. Make it Safe • Establish Ground Rules • Discussion Etiquette • Provide Feedback – individually and publicly • Establish a place for anonymous feedback  2003 JoAnn Warren

5. On-Line Discussions • Questions and/or Statements - open ended requiring reflection, application, or interpretation (controversial topics) • Require and publish minimum standards • Encourage with follow-up questions or play the devil’s advocate • Assign a student-facilitator  2003 JoAnn Warren

6. Sample Responses  2003 JoAnn Warren

7. Facilitating Discussion Actively facilitates one thread Solicits comments, poses additional questions, plays the “devil’s advocate” Adds relevant information from research and/or text readings Summarizes one thread noting similarities and discrepancies in postings Participating Posts on average, more than two messages for each discussion. Messages demonstrate critical analysis of question or topic. Messages contain original idea or thought. Messages build on other messages, elaborating on discussion Sample RequirementsClass Participation  2003 JoAnn Warren

8. Debates • Controversial Issue Pro-Con • Provide context, reading materials and/or additional resources (web quests) • Self-Selection – Affirmative or Negative • Take opposite of their personal beliefs • Set up Private “Forums” for team deliberations • Three Rounds – Opening statement, Rebuttal and Conclusion (4-5 weeks)  2003 JoAnn Warren

9. An Example • Post Due Dates for Rounds • Create “Forum” for the Debate • Require participation in discussion  2003 JoAnn Warren

10. Team Projects • Cases, Experiments, Research Topics • Options for Presentation of Findings • Self-Selection • Create Private Forums • Allow Adequate Time for deliberations, drafts and finalization of Report/Presentation  2003 JoAnn Warren

11. An Example • Post Due Dates • Create “Forum” for Final Presentation • Require students to review and comment on presentation  2003 JoAnn Warren

12. Team Selection Add “New” Topic “Compose” Message for each side of the debate or each project Require students to self-select a position by replying to posting Form Teams based on interest Private Forums for Team Deliberations Add “New” Topic Select “Private” Manage Members Post an introductory comment The Mechanics  2003 JoAnn Warren

13. Manage Files Chat Logs by room Download Save as html Upload Posting Chat Logs  2003 JoAnn Warren

14. Mixed Results • Class was more work than expected • Teamwork was challenging (schedules) • Enhanced computer and writing skills • Better than a TV Course • Apply what I learned • Greater participation than f2f – time to reflect before posting  2003 JoAnn Warren

15. Warm Fuzzy • This has been one of the best classes I have ever taken. Joann's dedication, feedback and encouragement make all the difference. This was the first web class I've taken and it was great except that my computer exploded the first week of class and wasn't fixed forever! Despite some obstacles this semester with Joann's patience I was really able to learn a lot from all of you and this class.  2003 JoAnn Warren