Cooperative Learning

There is a great teaching strategy called cooperative learning which is devised of small teams of students, each as varying levels of ability. They use different learning activities in order to boost their comprehension of a particular subject. The interesting part of this team aspect is that each team member is responsible for learning the lesson but also helping their own teammates understand it as well. This teamwork fosters an environment of achievement because the student team will continue to work on a lesson until everyone in the group grasps the mechanics of the lesson.

Cooperative learning results in team members winning as a result of each person’s efforts. They all strive to work towards that common goal of mastering a lesson because they all share a common destiny and realize that each person cannot do the work without the other. Plus, they all can celebrate together when a goal is achieved and feel proud of their accomplishments.

There are many reasons why cooperative learning can be a positive move. The techniques used in this type of learning does further student learning as well as achievement academically. Students are more satisfied with their learning and there is more student retention as well. This type of learning boosts self-esteem, develops social skills and even promotes racial equality and better communication.

Group accountability is a major factor in cooperative learning. The reason is that children inherently want to do the best they can and with a group of peers looking to them, they feel that they cannot let their team down. Each student has special gifts and will bring a unique element to each task. This promotes teamwork and interdependence.

The communication aspect is valuable as well as these teams of cooperative learning are not comprised of buddies banded together. Rather, students from diverse groups are joined together in a common goal which also enhances their social skills as well as their exposure to other cultures.