Tech Proj 1 Slis 5720 Becker Johnso111111

Patricia Becker-Johnson Patricia Becker-Johnson SLIS 5720 SLIS 5720

Cooperative Cooperative LearningLearning

Patricia Becker-JohnsonPatricia Becker-JohnsonFor TeachersFor Teachers

Technology Project 1Technology Project 1SLIS 5720 SLIS 5720

October 5, 2008October 5, 2008


Cooperative LearningCooperative Learning

Definition: A Definition: A grouping strategy grouping strategy

that allows that allows students to work students to work together to gain together to gain knowledge using knowledge using

each others’ each others’ strengths and strengths and weaknessesweaknesses


Essential Elements to Essential Elements to Cooperative Learning Cooperative Learning

Successful cooperative Successful cooperative learning groups should learning groups should have the following:have the following:

Team members must see Team members must see themselves as part of the themselves as part of the teamteam

Interactive engagementInteractive engagement Individual and group Individual and group

accountabilityaccountability


Essential Elements to Essential Elements to Cooperative Learning Cooperative Learning

ContinuedContinued Some members must have Some members must have

interpersonal and leadership skillsinterpersonal and leadership skills Team members should be able to Team members should be able to

reflect on their own learning and reflect on their own learning and the group’s functionthe group’s function


Against Cooperative Against Cooperative Learning? Learning?

Some educators are against Some educators are against cooperative learning because cooperative learning because they feel it pushes they feel it pushes competitiveness in the classroom. competitiveness in the classroom. But in actuality, cooperative But in actuality, cooperative learning shows students how they learning shows students how they must work together in the future must work together in the future in the real world.in the real world.


Formal and Informal Formal and Informal Cooperative Learning Cooperative Learning

GroupsGroupsFormal Formal InformalInformalDesigned for specific Designed for specific learning outcomeslearning outcomesShould not last longer Should not last longer than specific learning than specific learning tasktaskAssign students a Assign students a specific job like director, specific job like director, recorder, or presenterrecorder, or presenter

Students design their Students design their own learning taskown learning taskStudents work with Students work with others to improve the others to improve the learninglearningAssign students a Assign students a specific job like director, specific job like director, recorder, or presenterrecorder, or presenter


Cooperative Learning: Cooperative Learning: AdvantagesAdvantages

Grouping students with different levels Grouping students with different levels together allows learning to occur for all together allows learning to occur for all studentsstudents

Formal or informal groups depending on Formal or informal groups depending on learning tasklearning task

Long term groups can be developed Long term groups can be developed creating different learning opportunitiescreating different learning opportunities

Can be applied to all content areasCan be applied to all content areas


Cooperative Learning: Cooperative Learning: LimitationsLimitations

Size – groups need to be small to ensure Size – groups need to be small to ensure learninglearning

Potential overuse – if used too much, Potential overuse – if used too much, cooperative learning may become cooperative learning may become ineffectiveineffective

Group members – groups should consist Group members – groups should consist of different ability levels to enhance the of different ability levels to enhance the learning of all memberslearning of all members


Cooperative Learning: Cooperative Learning: Integration into Middle Integration into Middle

School ClassroomSchool Classroom Endless PossibilitiesEndless Possibilities Any grade level or content Any grade level or content

areaarea Good strategy to use Good strategy to use

when limited availability of when limited availability of technologytechnology Example 4 or 5 people Example 4 or 5 people

to one computer to one computer


Cooperative Learning: Cooperative Learning: Integration into Middle Integration into Middle

School ClassroomSchool Classroom Discussions on topics before reading or after Discussions on topics before reading or after

readingreading Literature circles apply this theory Literature circles apply this theory

View different types of media critically View different types of media critically Prepare presentations for other groupsPrepare presentations for other groups Jigsaw presentations where each member Jigsaw presentations where each member

becomes an expert on certain aspects of becomes an expert on certain aspects of materialmaterial

Education

Tech Proj 1 Slis 5720 Becker Johnso111111