Cooperative+Learning


 * The instructional strategy i have chosen to research is cooperative learning. On this Wiki page i will be sharing y research on cooperative learning and also sharing some examples of how it would work in the classroom.


 * Well first, to get you started you will need to know the definition of cooperative learning.__**Definition:**__ Cooperative learning is a method of instruction that has students working together in groups, usually with the goal of completing a specific task.


 * The instructional strategy i have chosen to research is cooperative learning. On this Wiki page i will be sharing y research on cooperative learning and also sharing some examples of how it would work in the classroom.

> "Cooperative learning produces greater student achievement than traditional learning methodologies (Slavin 1984). Slavin found that 63% of the cooperative learning groups analyzed had an increase in achievement. Students who work individually must compete against their peers to gain praise or other forms of rewards and reinforcements. In this type of competition many individuals attempt to accomplish a goal with only a few winners. The success of these individuals can mean failures for others. There are more winners in a cooperative team because all members reap from the success of an achievement. Low achieving students tend to work harder when grouped with higher achieving students. There is competition among groups in cooperative learning. Some forms of group competition promote cohesiveness among group members and group spirit."
 * There are many advantages to using cooperative learning in your classroom. One advantage would be the fact that the students must work together in a team. This will help them get to know their classmates better and to also learn how to collaborate on a topic with other peoples input. It also helps students build leadership skills; students can take charge within the group and direct everyone’s task in a polite manner. Some other benefits for using cooperative learning include the following: increases student retention, develops oral communication skills, enhances self management skills, and encourages student responsibility for learning.


 * If you would like to find more benefits to cooperative learning, you may click this link.




 * I truly believe that one of the best ways to make cooperative learning work, is to put the students into groups and give them a project, but the difference is make one section of the project something that everyone must be a part of and then give each student their own section to elaborate on. This way each student feels like they are pulling the same weight instead of one children feeling like they must do everything.


 * Another great way to make it work would be to use this same example above but at the end of the project, have the student’s evaluate each group member. They can fill out an evaluation form and turn it in to the teacher; so that you will know how everyone felt about their teammate’s participation and attitude during the project.


 * If you would like even more information about cooperative learning please visit the following website: Cooperative learning

media type="youtube" key="HEh8Z0sbiRE" height="349" width="425" align="center"

