1. NATIONALT CENTER FOR KOMPETENCEUDVIKLING DANMARKS PÆDAGOGISKE UNIVERSITETSSKOLE AARHUS UNIVERSITET * Cooperative learning in adult education Evaluation of the effects of an teaching method NERA – The 40th Annual Congress 10 Marts 2012 Bjarne Wahlgren www.ncfk.dpu.dk 1

2. NATIONALT CENTER FOR KOMPETENCEUDVIKLING DANMARKS PÆDAGOGISKE UNIVERSITETSSKOLE AARHUS UNIVERSITET * What did we want to know? Can positive effects of CL be documented in adult education? Does CL have a positive effect on students absence and dropout? How to train teachers to use CL? 2

3. NATIONALT CENTER FOR KOMPETENCEUDVIKLING DANMARKS PÆDAGOGISKE UNIVERSITETSSKOLE AARHUS UNIVERSITET * What did we do? We conducted an educational experiment We used survey data and register data We made an follow-up study 3

4. NATIONALT CENTER FOR KOMPETENCEUDVIKLING DANMARKS PÆDAGOGISKE UNIVERSITETSSKOLE AARHUS UNIVERSITET * We found some positive effects The students became more oriented towards cooperation They found the feedback from others more positive They became better listeners And most of all the students found the training program more varied The teachers were satisfied, some were excited 4

5. NATIONALT CENTER FOR KOMPETENCEUDVIKLING DANMARKS PÆDAGOGISKE UNIVERSITETSSKOLE AARHUS UNIVERSITET * But we did not find effects on The students general satisfaction with the program, the perception of the social environment in the class or the perception of integration in the class The students absence and drop out The student oral and written performances measured by grades 5

6. NATIONALT CENTER FOR KOMPETENCEUDVIKLING DANMARKS PÆDAGOGISKE UNIVERSITETSSKOLE AARHUS UNIVERSITET * The results from the follow-up show No systematic effects on absence, drop-out and grades Differentiated effects related to institutions and classes 6

7. NATIONALT CENTER FOR KOMPETENCEUDVIKLING DANMARKS PÆDAGOGISKE UNIVERSITETSSKOLE AARHUS UNIVERSITET * Next step Focus on the teachers social competences Focus on the ability to spot the students different capabilities Focus on the learning environment 7