Welcome

Welcome to my blog regarding Cooperative Learning. Please use the table of contents located on the right-side panel to navigate the site. or simply scroll down.  Please feel free to leave comments as well. To leave a comment, simply click on comments located on this post. I hope you enjoy!

Definitions

“Cooperative learning [is where] students work in small groups to achieve a common goal” (Ormond, 2008, p. 437). Cooperative learning, which includes simple group projects, is used in all levels of education, from elementary through graduate school. Another definition of cooperative learning  is “the instructional use of small groups so that students  work together to maximize their own and each other’s learning” (Jiao, DaRos-Voseles, Collins, & Onwuegbuzie, 2011, p. 120).

 Although most cooperative learning is lead by an  instructor, some of these experiences are created by the students forming study groups.  “Taking place through an individual’s interaction with his or her environment and peers, cooperative learning is largely based on the idea that students learn through social context”  (Tsay, & Brady, 2010, p. 78). Most students will enjoy a cooperative learning assignment.  

Importance

I hear and I forget 
I see and I remember    
I do and I understand 
Anonymous

Depending on the theory used, one can see numerous benefits for cooperative learning. From group contingency, to improved self-efficacy, to being a model for others, are a few positives of cooperative learning (Ormond, 2008). Furthermore, “studies on cooperative  learning have indicated its positive relationship with student achievement and attitudes about learning” (Tsay, & Brady, 2010, p. 78). It is vital to get students interested and excited about learning. If one is not actively involved in his or her learning experience, how much is actually learned may be questionable. 

Usages and Applications

When three persons work together, each can be the teacher in some aspects
Confucius

One of the most commonly used cooperative learning experiences in on-line classes includes the use of discussion boards. This allows students to share ideas, and build upon others knowledge. Another example, may be a group project. A group project may take on a simple presentation or a more technologically advanced presentation such as seen in this example Group project

Advantages/ Disadvantages

Advantages

According to The American Federation of Teachers (2010) state that

            ■ “Cooperative small groups require students to learn from each other through their interactions.

■ Cooperative small groups have positive effects on students’ interpersonal 

relationship in the

classroom and can improve attitudes of students of different races, ethnicities and academic abilities toward one another.

■ Cooperative small groups have a positive effect on achievement and are particularly effective in promoting conceptual and higher-level learning.” 

These advantages are vital to what most teachers wish to provide his or her students. These advantages emphasis the work of students in small groups, although these concepts can be applied to other cooperative learning experiences. It also mentions that the students are more accepting of other cultures which is vital in such a diverse population that one may live in.

Disadvantages

One common situation is using the jigsaw technique: “new information is divided equally among all group members, and each student must teach his or her portion to the other group members” (Ormond, 2008, p. 439). The downside to this is when a student does not complete his or her portion. Unfortunately in group projects or assignments, one student may chose not to work as hard as others, or simply allow others to do it for them. This one student hurts the entire group and brings the morale down.  Additionally Ormond (2008) states that “in some cases, students may simply not have the skills to help one another learn” (p. 443).To help overcome these disadvantages, the teacher should remain active within the groups. 

Theories

Different theories incorporate the use of cooperative learning.  Such theories and theorist include, but are not limited to:

Social constructivism- Lev Vygotsky

“It is also widely accepted that Vygotsky’s  zone of proximal development (the distance between the actual developmental level  -as determined by independent problem-solving and the level of potential  development  -as determined through problem-solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers) is bridged by collaborative learning opportunities” (Bose, 2010). 

For more about Vygotsky see here Vygotsky

If you have access to EBSCO host click here 

Social Cognitive theory- Bandura 

“Social cognitive theorist propose that most learning takes place…through watching the behavior of other individuals (models)” (Ormond, 2008, p. 119). This theory incorporates the need for others (models) to help guide a learning experience.

For more information regarding Social Cognitive Theory

Connectivism

“ In connectivism, the starting point for learning occurs when knowledge is actuated through the process of a learner connecting  to and feeding information into a learning community” (Kop, & Hill, 2008). Connectiveism demonstrates the need of group learning. 

More information on Connectiveism

Etienne Wenger

“The basic idea is that human knowing is fundamentally a social act” (wenger, n.d.). Wenger demonstrates that learning requires some type of social interaction or action. 

More information on Wenger 

References

American Federation of Teachers.  (2010). Working with cooperative small groups. Classroom tips. American Federation of Teachers, Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Bose, S. (2010). Learning Collaboratively with Web 2.0 Technologies: Putting into action social constructivism. Online Submission, Retrieved from EBSCOhost

Jiao, Q. G., DaRos-Voseles, D. A., Collins, K. T., & Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2011). Academic procrastination and the performance of graduate-level cooperative groups in research methods courses. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 11(1), 119-138. Retrieved from EBSCOhost

Kop, R., & Hill, A. (2008). Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestige of the past?.International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 9(3), 1-13. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Ormrod, J. E. (2008). Human Learning (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Tsay, M., & Brady, M. (2010). A case study of cooperative learning and communication pedagogy: Does working in teams make a difference?. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 10(2), 78-89. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Wesch, M. (Photographer). (2007, October 12). A vision of students today. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o]

Wenger, E. (n.d.) Home page. Retrieved from http://www.ewenger.com/

Quotes from http://www.georgejacobs.net/quotes.htm