Thinking about different learning designs is fairly new to me! I know that group work is used a lot in schools (sometimes effectively, other times not so much) so I wanted to dive into Cooperative/Collaborative Learning a bit more to really pick out what they are, how they can work effectively, and why teachers use them so much!
Cooperative Learning is a form of Collaborative Learning where student voices are centered and collaboration skills are developed. Students work in smaller groups to dig deeper into concepts, ask questions, and most importantly, learn from each otherās knowledge and perspectives (Edutopia, 2012). Cooperative/Collaborative Learning follows a one-for-all and all-for-one approach, whereby the success of all students in the group is met through the involvement and success of all students (TeacherVision, n.d.); for example, if one student is having difficulty, their group will work together to help them understand. This interdependent process helps build student self-esteem and motivation, as well as a sense of personal responsibility as students become collective teachers in their groups (Edutopia, 2012; Foster, 2020; TeacherVision, n.d.; Zook, 2018). A common example of Collective/Collaborative Learning that many teachers use is a āThink-Pair-Shareā as it has students working individually, in a group of two, then as a whole group. Students are able to formulate their own idea of a topic, then build on it with a partner before sharing with the rest of the group to hear even more points-of-view!
This learning style also follows the notion that classwork problems should be more challenging than homework problems so that students have to use each other as resources to figure them out (Edutopia, 2012). This encourages learning how to communicate and problem-solve with others and to see from new perspectives – soft skills that canāt always be explicitly taught (Zook, 2018). Including clear instructions, student work roles – such as a scribe, a mapper, and a moderator (Edutopia, 2012) – and specific outcomes and measurements for learning goals are what makes Cooperative/Collaborative Learning so successful when done well (Foster, 2020).
Cooperative/Collaborative Learning has many strategies for how to incorporate it into the classroom, and this Edutopia (2012) video shows how a school has implemented it in a variety of class subjects.
The following picture accurately and simply depicts the characteristics of the Cooperative/Collaborative Learning style:
Image retrieved from https://blogs.miamioh.edu/edt431-531/2018/10/cooperative-learning-not-just-a-group-project/
Cooperative/Collaborative Learning would work well in our topic āInclusion in the General Classroomā as it is student-centered, and values the voices of each individual (encourages them in fact!) The face-to-face interaction and conversation helps build confidence, not only with the concept students are working on, but also in their personal skills. Cooperative/Collaborative Learning shows that everyone has something to contribute, whether it is a question, an answer, or a new perspective to work from – all aspects which work towards inclusion and access to equitable education for all students. Teachers need to understand how to implement proper Cooperative/Collaborative Learning processes so that they are meaningful, engaging, and effective, not frustrating and difficult.
References
Edutopia. (2012). Collaborative Learning Builds Deeper Understanding [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWEwv_qobpU
Foster, C. B. (2020). Cooperative Learning and How to Use It in the Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.teachhub.com/teaching-strategies/2020/07/cooperative-learning-and-how-to-use-it-in-the-classroom/
TeacherVision. (n.d.). Cooperative Learning. Retrieved from https://www.teachervision.com/professional-development/cooperative-learning
Zook, C. (2018). What is Cooperative Learning and How Does It Work? Retrieved from https://www.aeseducation.com/blog/what-is-cooperative-learning-and-how-does-it-work
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