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| Image retrieved from http://teacherrebootcamp.com/2010/11/19/cooperative-learning-effective-team-work-15-resources/ |
Something of particular interest for
me is cooperative learning. Slavin (2015) defines cooperative learning as a
teaching method where children work together in small groups to help each
other learn. This can be an effective teaching technique. The cooperative
learning teaching strategy differs from traditional approaches. For example,
cooperative learning classrooms seat children in a different manner. In a traditional classroom approach students
would be seated in rows facing the teacher. In a cooperative learning classroom
students would sit in small groups together(Sharan, 2014). This seating
arrangement supports collaborative learning because it can facilitate
discussion in the classroom. As well, it changes the power dynamics of the classroom.
It is no longer a teacher lecturing at the front of the classroom, but instead
encourages group effort to learn collaboratively. Sharan also elaborates that
it is important that students feel comfortable to ask questions of one another
and the teacher in a non-judgmental way (2014). Sharan (2014) also
suggests that teachers would be impressed with the ideas their students come up
with. A personal goal of mine is to establish a positive classroom learning
environment where children feel they can speak freely without worrying about
being judged. Cooperative learning may play an important role in helping me to
achieve this. Here are some examples of cooperative learning activities!
Slavin (2015) describes that the
children in cooperative learning classrooms want to learn and help one another
and want to see each other succeed. This is an excellent goal for any classroom
because it discourages children from competing with one another. It encourages
working together and reinforces that everyone can be successful. Slavin (2015)
also describes a Jigsaw puzzle method, which is a type of cooperative learning
strategy. In the Jigsaw method students
work in groups of four or five and each person focuses on a particular topic.
Then the students will get together with an “expert group” which will consist
of students that were all given the same topic. The expert groups will discuss
their topic, and then everyone will return to their original groups. Within the
student’s original groups they will then discuss each member’s expert topic.
This is something that one of my elementary school teachers would use to teach
history. We would each get a topic to discuss and she would give us a short
reading in our expert group to read and discuss. Then we would return to our
original group to teach each other what we had learned in our expert groups. When
reflecting back on my elementary school experiences the lessons that stick out
in my mind are ones that incorporated cooperative learning methods. These lessons
gave us a sense of agency because it was our responsibility to learn and to make
sure that our peers learned as well. This sense of responsibility is empowering
for students and can make students genuinely care about their learning. Here is
more information on the Jigsaw method!
The diagram below helps explain the Jigsaw method!
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| Image Retrieved from http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/coursedesign/tutorial/jigsaw.html |
I
think that cooperative learning is a key classroom teaching method. Our blogs
are a form of cooperative learning because we each take on a topic, learn more
in-depth and then share with one other. I wish more of our classes provided the
opportunity to investigate a topic on our own and then share with our peers. In
investigating cooperative learning for this blog assignment I have come to
realize that cooperative learning is an excellent teaching method. I feel this
because cooperative learning has the potential to develop a positive atmosphere
in the classroom, foster collaborative skills, and create a sense of agency for the students. I
would like to end with a quote from Benjamin Franklin, “Tell me and I
forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn”. Therefore, in order
to make learning more meaningful lessons for our students we should consider
adopting a cooperative learning approach.
References
Sharan, Y. (2015). Meaningful learning in the
cooperative classroom. Education, 43(1), 83-94. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2015.961723
Slavin, R. E. (2015). Cooperative learning in
elementary schools. Education, 43(1), 5-14. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2015.963370
Additional websites:
Tewksbury, B. (2009, Feb 6). The Jigsaw Technique. Retrieved from http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/coursedesign/tutorial/jigsaw.html
Insitute for Character Education. (2005). Cooperative
learning or positive interdependence. Retrieved from http://charactered.ocde.us/ICE/lessons_html/cooperative.html
Photos
Cooperative Learning: Effective team work!
(Photo) (n.d.) Retrieved from http://teacherrebootcamp.com/2010/11/19/cooperative-learning-effective-team-work-15-resources/
