Cooperative Learning Students work together in small groups and learn through interaction with each other while the teacher coaches the process.

5 Major Phases Teacher clarifies goals, provides a hook and introductory information Organize student teams with clearly defined roles Facilitate team activities, including academic learning, social skills & cooperative behavior Assess student knowledge throughout the process and/or by team presentations Recognize both group & individual efforts such as active participation and taking responsibility for learning

Phase 1: Goals, Hook & Introduction The 3 instructional goals of cooperative learning are: Academic achievement, Tolerance and acceptance of diversity, and Development of social skills Consider how you will communicate these goals in your introduction

Phase 2: Teams and Roles Organize materials, learning experiences and small group activities by paying attention to 4 key features: Form heterogeneous teams How students will work together in small groups (Student Teams, Jigsaw, Group Investigation, Think-Pair-Share) How behavior and results will be recognized or rewarded Realistic time estimate

Think-Pair-Share

Phase 3: Facilitate learning, social skills & cooperative learning Help with Transitions Teach Cooperation Task Interdependence Social Skills Sharing Skills Participation Skills Communication Skills Group Skills Team Building Teaching Social and Group Skills

Phase 4: Assess Throughout and/or with Presentations Test Academic Learning Assess Cooperation Grade Cooperative Learning Recognize Cooperative Effort

Phase 5: Recognize Group & Individual Efforts Find ways to highlight group presentations by displaying results prominently in room. Maybe invite guests to hear final reports. Consider summarizing results through newsletters or other forums. Each individual makes some kind of unique contribution – highlight those.

Cooperative Learning in the College Classroom

CHECKER -makes sure that everyone in the group understands all the material -ensures that everyone in the group is prepared to make their part of the presentation.

LEADER -responsible for the groups output -keeps group ‘on track’ and focused -assigns tasks -controls the direction of the project -assigns additional roles, such as ‘experimenter’ or ‘equipment manager’

RECORDER -takes notes for the team -responsible for compiling and presentation of final product -gets supplies for team when necessary

OBSERVER/READER -makes sure that everyone in the group is contributing (no sponges!) -ensures that everyone in the group has an equal opportunity to speak. -makes sure that all comments are positive. -reads material to the group.

Five Defining Elements of Cooperative Learning 1-Positive interdependence 2.Face-to-face promotive interaction 3.Individual and group accountability 4-Interdependence and small group skills 5.Group processing

2. Face-to-Face Interaction (promote each other's success) Orally explaining how to solve problems Teaching one's knowledge to other Checking for understanding Discussing concepts being learned Connecting present with past learning

Conflict-management skills 4. Interpersonal &Small-Group Skills Social skills must be taught: Decision-making Trust-building Leadership Communication Conflict-management skills  

5. Group Processing Group members discuss how well they are achieving their goals and maintaining effective working relationships Describe what member actions are helpful and not helpful Make decisions about what behaviors to continue or change.