Cooperative+Learning

__Cooperative Learning__

 Cooperative Learning is an instructional method that allows students to work in small groups within the classroom, often with a division of assignment of several specific tasks or roles. Students work together on academic tasks in small groups to help themselves and their teammates learn together.

**There are Five Basic Elements to Cooperative Learning:**


 * **Positive Interdependence ** || **Sink or Swim:** Students perceive that they need each other for group success . || [[image:drowning_cartoon.gif width="144" height="116"]] ||
 * **Face to Face Interaction ** || **Promote Each Other's Success:** Students promote each other's learning by helping, sharing, and encouraging efforts to learn . || [[image:facetofacedrawing.jpg width="165" height="117"]] ||
 * **Individual and Group Accountability** || **No Hitchhiking:** Students learn together and preform alone. Each student's performance is frequently assessed and the results are given to the group and the individual. || [[image:images.jpg]] ||
 * **Interpersonal and Small Group Skills** || **Social Skills are Practiced:** Students work on important skills like leadership, decision making, trust building, and communication . || [[image:shake_hands.jpg width="170" height="139"]] ||
 * **Group Processing** || **Analyzing:** Group members frequently discuss how well they are achieving their goals and what further steps need to be taken. || [[image:159732-xs.jpg width="178" height="134"]] ||
 * **Group Processing** || **Analyzing:** Group members frequently discuss how well they are achieving their goals and what further steps need to be taken. || [[image:159732-xs.jpg width="178" height="134"]] ||

What are the Advantages of Cooperative Learning? <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> With the appropriate use of cooperative learning, research has shown improvements in student achievement, race relations, acceptance of academically handicapped students, and self-esteem (Slavin, 1995).

//Below are a few more advantages to cooperative learning://
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">increase student retention
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">promote student learning and academic achievement
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">enhance student satisfaction with their learning experience
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">help students develop skills in oral communication
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">develop students' social skills
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">promote student self-esteem

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">__Below is a video which further elaborates on the advantages of cooperative learning:__

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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">One of the advantages of cooperative learning is an increase in student retention. Below is a pyramid showing learning retention rates. Cooperative learning could include all of these methods below, but pay close attention to the bottom three (discussion group, practice by doing, and teach others/immediate use of learning). These three methods have the highest percentage of information retained and are included in __all__ cooperative learning activities.



<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">Cooperative Learning Ideas for your Classroom:

__**Cooperative Groups in Class:**__ Groups work together on a given question, while the teacher circles around the room answering additional questions and keeping groups on task. When all groups are finished, students are asked to share their results.

__**Active Review Sessions:**__ Active review sessions are similar to cooperative groups: the teacher asks questions and students work in groups to answer them. Once everyone is done, students share their solutions.

__**Concept Mapping:**__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">A concept map is a graphical tool for organizing and representing knowledge. Students construct concept maps by connecting individual terms by lines which indicate the relationship between each set of connected terms.

__**Jig-Saw Group Projects:**__ A jig-saw project is when each individual is assigned a specific part of an assignment. When everyone is finished, all parts can be put together to create a finished project. For example, in this Wiki project, each member picked a specific topic to create an informative page and together we created a Wiki site.

__**Role Playing**__**:** Role playing is when students are asked to act out a part or scenario.


 * __Debates:__** Students are placed into debate teams and given a position to research and debate. Once everyone has had time to prepare, they are asked to present their arguments.

//Below is a video with tips on applying cooperative learning in your classroom://

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