Cooperative Learning

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Cooperative Learning

What is cooperative learning and how can it be implemented in a classroom. Lets look at this idea broadly and narrow it down. From what I have observed and read is that first and foremost as the teacher we need to know our students. I know I taught a lesson this past fall and I did a random name draw to create groups. My cooperating teacher was a bit on edge at first thinking two students who didn’t work well together were put together. When I was drawing the names I knew these students didn’t work well, so I made sure they were all in different groups. 

You really need to know your students. If you have all the bossy kids together they won’t work. All the shy kids together won’t work either. You can do random picks as well from time to time to have students who normally may not work together to allow them time together, sometimes kids can surprise us.

I know I’ve discussed with teachers the number of students in a team or group and the majority say 4-6 per group. More than 6 I have been told just isn't as effective when it comes to group work. Also, that you should assign roles for each student. I remember one teacher she would set colored clips on the desks. We would each pick one out; she would than put the task on the board and what each color represented. One person was the recorder (the writer), another the go-getter and putter away of supplies, pen-holder (so everyone had a chance to share before the writer could write) and many other different jobs depending on the task. I felt this was a great way because each time you could end up with a different task, even if you always picked the same color. 

Some ways to incorporate cooperative learning are through think-pair-share. Students are posed a question and think about it individually, than they pair with a classmate collaborate than share as a whole group. Another way is by having clock buddies. You have students set up a clock with other classmates names on them and when you want students to work cooperatively you can call out “Work with you 2 o’clock buddy” this way you don’t have to worry about a student not being picked.

Check out the article from the U.S. Department of Education regarding cooperative learning. Cengage Learning also has a great website you can read up to learn more about Cooperative Learning.