1. Definitions and elements
Cooperative learning
Definitions and elements

2. Cooperative learning
Cooperative learning is structuring positive interdependence
Students work in groups to complete tasks collectively toward academic goals
They take advantage of one another’s resources and skills
The teacher’s role changes from giving information to facilitating student’s learning.
Everyone succeeds when the group succeeds
Tasks should be intellectually demanding, creative, open-ended and involve higher order thinking skills.

3. Cooperative learning
Cooperative learning is different to collaborative learning.

4. Cooperative vs Collaborative
Cooperative learning
Collaborative learning
Different levels of ability
Use variety of learning activities to improve understanding of a subject
Each is responsible for learning but also helping team mates learn
Each person is responsible for a portion of the work
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Learning is a naturally social act in which the participants talk among themselves
It is through the talk that learning occurs
Participants work together to solve a problem
Sharing experiences with each other
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5. Key Characteristics of cooperative learning
Brown and Ciuffetelli Parker (2009) and Siltala (2010) show that there are 5 basic essential elements to cooperative learning:
1. Positive interdependence
Students must fully participate and put in effort within their group.
Each group member has a task/role/responsibility – they must believe that they are responsible for their learning and that of their group.

6. Key Characteristics of cooperative learning
2. Face-to-face promotive interaction
Members promote each other’s success
Students explain to each other what they have or are learning and assist each other with understanding and completion of assignments
3. Individual and Group accountability
Each student must demonstrate mastery of the content being studied
Each student is accountable for their learning and work

7. Key Characteristics of cooperative learning
4. Social skills
Social skills need to be taught in order for successful cooperative learning.
Skills include effective cooperation, interpersonal and group skills.
Leadership
Decision-making
Trust-building
Communication
Conflict-management skills

8. Key Characteristics of cooperative learning
5. Group Processing
Every so often groups must assess their effectiveness and decide how it can be improved.

9. Summary
Cooperative learning must have students moving towards a group goal and success must be reliant on each individual’s learning.
Students must know exactly what their responsibilities are and that they are accountable to the group. Each member must have a task that they are responsible for which cannot be completed by any other group member.

10. What does cooperative learning look like in the classroom?

11. references