ROLES and GAMBITS

1. Definition

• A cooperative learning role is an assigned action or

task for a student to fulfill.

• Gambits are what students say or do to fulfill their

roles.

2. Possible roles and gambits

(from a project by María Elizondo)

2. Possible roles and gambits

2. Possible roles and gambits

3. When to use roles

• Team projects: without roles, given an interesting or

challenging task, it is probable that the highest achieving

students will “take over” and do the task for the team.

3. When to use roles

• Team discussions: without roles, team discussions consist

of one or two students talking most or all of the time.

4. When NOT to use roles

• Most structures: most simple cooperative learning

structures do not need assigned roles. In fact, role

assignement would detract from the effectiveness

of these structures.