Cooperative learning is an integral part of classrooms. Partners and small groups are used frequently in most classrooms. From the basic Pair-Share to full blown projects, students benefit from working together. A key to cooperative groups is the need to meet an objective that can only be accomplished cooperatively (2001). With this goal in mind, everyone benefits when everyone is successful. This would elicit support from team members who may not otherwise be socially friendly. In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works the authors gives a theoretical framework for cooperative learning that includes motivation and cognitive learning.
Technology allows cooperative learning to happen anytime, anyplace. It empowers the team to fully take charge of the project and eliminates the need for the dependence on the teacher for leadership. It expands the project outside the classroom. In fact, it explodes any limits. Teams not only don’t need to be homogeneously group – which is recommended against by the authors of our textbook – but they don’t even have to be in the same country. It would be possible for a team to be composed of students from different countries. A science project could conceivably be done by students in different countries using technologies such as Skype, wikis and Google documents to discuss strategies and compare data. Students in different states could compare their geography, culture, weather or whatever they are studying by using Google docs to create a multimedia presentation together. For the research project in my class, students must individually choose from a set list related to their social studies curriculum. But students in different classes could share information about a shared topic through the class wiki to make their own work more efficient.
For most students, cooperative learning is an activity they actively request. They want these types of activities because it comes naturally to most of them. As teachers we can see the benefits to having students actively engaged and motivated.
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Technology is a tool for cooperative learning especially if we lay down our expectations clearly, otherwise we leave the door open to sloppy inconsistent work. I agree strongly with you, that when students work in groups they learn from each other and build a greater independence from the teacher. Students do tend to always relay on the teacher for answers instead of making an effort to think for themselves. Believe or not, I have this very issue with my college students who seem to have been babied throughout their early education. I have to admit I expected more in the way of independent thinkers and responsibility with their own education, yet every semester I have to raise my expectations and build on their problem solving techniques.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog post.
Cheers
John A.
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that cooperative learning is something that students ask for repeatedly. They love working with others. In my school, we have a mentoring program where the fifth grade students come and help my first graders with everything from social issues to school work. My students love when the older ones come in to the classroom. Those are some of their favorite days. The students work very well together, collaborating on different projects. The fifth graders like to come in and help, too, just as my first graders like the time to work with those older than themselves. I think cooperative learning is a valuable tool for teachers to incorporate into their lessons.
Thank you for your post.
Elizabeth Stein
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ReplyDeleteMr. A,
ReplyDeleteYour comment about college students not being independent both affirms my theory about this current generation and depresses me. My colleagues and I have been discussing the increasing dependence of our middle school students. I've been worried that this lack of independence would be carried on. I'm sorry to hear it's the same in college students and even sorrier to hear that it's not limited to the United States. I would have preferred to believe that it was our particular neighborhood that was this way.
The great news is that there are teachers such as you who are actively working to teach self-relevance and cooperative learning.
Thanks for the great post.
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteSuch a great strategy. More than just teaching the skills, you are showing these students the joy of mentoring and helping along with the building the self-esteem of both groups.
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using technology to have students collaborate with their peers in another country. I feel that we learn a great deal through interactions with others, and this is enhanced when the interaction is with someone who is very different than we are. Have you tried this as the school or district level at all? It might be a good way to try it out.
Lauren
Theresa - I agree that technology allows cooperative learning to happen anytime, anyplace. The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman is an book which examines the influences shaping business and competition in a technology-fueled global environment and is a call to action for governments, businesses and individuals who must stay ahead of these trends in order to remain competitive. Helping our students to be effective collaborators will benefit them as they enter a workforce that has become global.
ReplyDelete