Co-Operative Learning

1. Co-Operative Learning Module 7

2. Co-Operative Learning Interactive Learning Process which facilitates learning mediated by students

3. Co-operative Learning • Small group instructional process • Thinking about how we learn – MI Theory, Gardner • Enhances the effectiveness of other instructional strategies • Task specific • Structured Approach / Process Approach / Safe Classroom Approach Ref: P144 Beyond Monet

4. Five Basic Elements of Effective Group Work – Johnson & Johnson • Individual Accountability – learner responsible for own learning • Face to Face Interaction – small group / consider room layout • Collaborative Skills – Communication skills, Critical thinking skills, Social skills • Processing – time to process, reflect and assess group work • Positive Interdependence

5. Positive Interdependence Goal: Provide a clear and meaningful goal or task Role: Roles are clear without being inhibiting Resources: sharing Incentive: getting perks for working well together Outside force: competing against standards or for prizes Environmental: structure the physical environment carefully Identity: students design a group name or logo Sequence: each student must complete his/her task so that the group can put together various elements to create a whole Simulation: role playing, often to deal with social skills

6. Instructional Tactics • Inside Outside Circles • Four Corners • Three Step Interviews • Placemat • Graffiti • Teams Games Tournament • Think Pair Share

7. Think Pair Share An instructional tactic where students are asked to think for a moment first, then pair up to compare their experiences / thoughts, then share them with a larger group.

8. Lesson

9. Deconstruct: • Did the students have sufficient knowledge to participate effectively? • Were students safe? • Were all students given the opportunity to participate? • Did students understand what was expected of them? – Framing Questions • Did I deal with incorrect / silly answers effectively and empathically ? • How do I know students learned?

10. Conclusion • Research shows that, done well, it is a highly effective mode of learning • Research shows that intelligence is greatly affected by social interaction • Interpersonal intelligence is a powerful predictor of success • Dialogue is a powerful way to resolve the revolution like behaviour of society • Conflict resolution skills often determine how long school staff remain effective • Where else will students pick up quality social, communication and critical thinking skills • Some students learn best by this mode (Learning Styles, Multiple Intelligence • Cooperative learning has significant transfer to the ‘real world’