Basic Principles (PIES) Ashton Stahl EDUC 540

Purpose of PIES “The PIES principles are what set cooperative learning apart from other approaches to instruction; the PIES are the lynchpin to successful cooperative learning” (Kagan & Kagan, 2009, p. 12.1). “When all the PIES are in place, we can be sure we will get academic and social gains” (Kagan & Kagan, 2009, p. 12.1).

What Does PIES Stand For? P – Positive Interdependence I – Individual Accountability E – Equal Interaction S - Simultaneous Interaction

The Four Basic Principles Each principle has an important impact to student learning. If implemented correctly every student will feel confident to succeed in a cooperative learning classroom. Positive Interdependence, Individual Accountability, Equal Participation, and Simultaneous Interaction help to unleash the full potential of cooperative learning. While applying PIES, you will see why some activities you have done in the past successfully produce cooperation and achievement whereas others may have failed.

Positive Interdependence “A gain for one is a benefit for the other” (Kagan & Kagan, 2009, p12.2). When there is a positive correlation of outcomes, students will almost always work together. When positive interdependence is in place students will cooperate, help each other and encourage each other.

Individual Accountability “Students work together as a team to create and to learn, but ultimately every individual student is responsible for his or her own learning” (Kagan & Kagan, 2009, p. 12.9). Students will hold themselves accountable if their knowledge and skills are made public to someone else. No help can be given to the individual, they must display their knowledge publicly, and are required to contribute. Alex said he thinks….

Equal Participation Students learn by interacting with the content and with fellow students so participation must be relatively equal (Kagan & Kagan, 2009, p. 12.14). Structures must be the correct level of difficulty for students to participate. There are six approaches to equalize participation. They are the following: turn talking time allocation think and write time rules individual accountability roles

Simultaneous Interaction Students learn better when a high percentage of them are actively engaged at once. Classroom time is saved because students are engaged and more can be accomplished in a faster time. Simultaneous interaction can be responses or a sharing of ideas in teams or pairs.

Conclusion The purpose of PIES is to tell us where to look and how to restructure when things are not going well. If implemented correctly, PIES will lead the way to a successful cooperative learning environment. PIES will get our students cooperating, achieving, participating, and engaged. These basic principles will create effective cooperative learning in the classroom.

References Kagan, S., & Kagan, M. (2009) Kagan cooperative learning. San Clemente, CA: Kagan Publishing.