Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is an effective instructional strategy that deepen students' learning and lays a foundation for success in the collaborative workplace environment that exists in our 21st century world (Dean, 2012).  Cooperative learning provides students with opportunities to share their ideas and process new knowledge, therefore promoting self-confidence, inclusivity, and engagement in classrooms. However, it is important to note that effective cooperative learning must provide structure, accountability, and consistency.

The five elements of cooperative learning shown in Figure 1 provide a framework for educators seeking to use cooperative learning as an instructional strategy in their classrooms.  Face-to-face interaction is a staple of collaboration, and teachers must help students recognize and affirm their peers during discussion.  Moreover, interpersonal and small group skills can be refined during cooperative learning as teacher support students by outline guidelines for communication, decision making, conflict resolution, and leadership skills (Dean, 2012). Additionally, individual accountability is important because each student must understand their responsibility as a contributor to the group.  Teachers promote positive interdependence by developing a sense of teamwork as students work together to achieve a task or goal. Finally, group processing allows students to reflect on their finished product or knowledge as well as evaluate their team functioning.

As a practical example of cooperative learning, my students just began a songwriting unit.  They will work in small groups over the next 6 weeks on this collaborative project  Each week, we will focus on a specific element of the songwriting process (lyrics, melody, chord structure, instrumentation,  style, performance, etc.) and then the students will work in groups to complete that segment of the project.  By the end of the unit, each group will perform their original song for the class.  I'm excited to see how this cooperative learning experience will deepen their learning and am already seeing a high level of engagement after the unit introduction this week.

Dean, C. B., Hubbell, E. R., & Pitler, H. (2012). Classroom Instruction That Works : Research-Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement (2). Alexandria, US: ASCD. Retrieved from http://www.ebrary.com