- Grade Levels K - 2
- Grade Levels 3 - 5
- Grade Levels 6 - 8
- Grade Levels 9 - 12
- Kinesthetic Learner
- Visual Learner
- Auditory Learner
- Technology Integration
Cooperative Learning
Many students simply don't know how to share knowledge and research when their goal is learning. Their requirements are simple:
- well-designed group activities that have specific learning objectives and procedures
- training and experience making groups work
- motivation to succeed
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Teach students how to cooperate. Cooperative learning defies what most students have been programmed to do—work as an individual. You can help by explaining and modeling the specific skills students need in upcoming activities, whether they include listening, sharing information, or reaching consensus. Be sure to give students the chance to evaluate their group's success using criteria that is based on the skills that were taught.
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Use the subject and task to guide the type of group you will use. Cooperative learning is most successful when the size and organization of the group fits the type of work that needs to be accomplished. For example, two-person peer reviews may be appropriate for honing editorial skills in an English class; whereas, a group of three or four might be more appropriate for a debate team in an American Government class.
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Assign students to heterogeneous groups. Most experts agree that groups should contain a mix of different ethnicities and genders. You also should take into consideration how each student's personality and social skills will contribute to the group. By choosing the composition of the group yourself, rather than allowing students to do so, you can deter students from socializing too much. You also can help create a successful group dynamic. Frequently change the group composition to allow students to experience different group dynamics and academic levels.
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Give students explicit instructions for each activity to jump-start cooperation. Write on the board the first three or four steps they will take once formed into groups. This will help get students on task immediately as they get into groups. Monitor their progress throughout the class to make sure they know what they should be doing and to answer questions. Make yourself available by circulating from group to group during the activity.
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Hold each individual student accountable for participation and learning in group work settings. This can be achieved by assigning both a group grade and an individual grade. Make sure students know that they will each be held accountable for the material learned in the group work. Have students document their participation in the group and submit it to you.
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Plan and organize transitions to group work.Transitions in any lesson can introduce an element of chaos if not planned and organized. Make sure students understand your expectations for an orderly and quick transition into groups. Assigning a group role ( leader, note taker, monitor) to each student in a group is an effective classroom management technique that can reduce the chaos.
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International Association for the Study of Cooperative in Education
Connect with others who are interested in studying and applying the principles of cooperative learning. At this site, you'll find information about membership, conferences, newsletters, and additional Web resources.
The Cooperative Learning Center
This site from the University of Minnesota Offers a variety of essays about cooperative learning.
Glencoe Biology helps all students succeed. This program's comprehensive content is made relevant to students through engaging real-world contexts. The abundance of differentiated instructional strategies helps teachers reach all learners. Seamlessly integrated technology allows teachers to save time and increase productivity.
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