What: Cooperative learning is a structure of learning where students work together to accomplish tasks. Effective cooperative learning practices rely on positive interdependence, promotive interaction and individual accountability (Johnson & Johnson, 1998) and result in higher levels of student engagement and student achievement. Cooperative learning may occur in partners, and/or small or large groups. In order to bring cooperative learning structures into your practice, it is necessary to explicitly teach and reinforce the behaviors necessary for effective partner and team collaboration.
Who: Cooperative learning can and should be in the instructional practice of teachers at every grade level and content area. Achievement effects of cooperative learning are consistently positive and are about the same for “all grade levels (2-12), in all major subjects, and in urban, rural, and suburban schools. Effects are equally positive for high, average, and low learners” (Slavin, 1991, p. 71).
Why: Considered a skill for the 21st century, cooperation is the key to student success in school and in the workforce. Research has repeatedly shown that students who are instructed with cooperative learning structures have higher achievement (Slavin, 1991).
When: Introduce cooperative learning on the first day of class. Demonstrate, explain and model the specific behaviors needed for cooperative learning and then provide students with an opportunity to practice. In the explicit instruction or gradual release model, cooperative learning is a part of everyday instruction, following modeling (I Do) and guided practice (We Do). For more about Explicit Instruction, click here.
How: There are a variety of very popular cooperative learning methods available for teachers to use. The most successful cooperative learning strategies incorporate team (or group) goals and individual accountability (Slavin, 1991, Johnson & Johnson, 1998). In order to reinforce cooperative behaviors, teachers should model, provide time for practice and consistently reinforce and celebrate positive collaborative behaviors.