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Cooperative Learning |
Why should you learn about cooperative learning?
One very important reason to learn about cooperative learning is that the ability to work with others is a key skill -- a skill highly valued by employers and corporations. The world of work is changing. Regardless of the kind of work you do, whether you become a doctor, factory worker, accountant, or television producer, you will be required to work as part of a team. For some people this skill comes naturally. For others, it is new and difficult. Unless you are independently wealthy or are lucky enough to hit the lottery, you'll probably be in the workplace in a few years -- if you aren't there already! Work teams have replaced the independent worker in virtually every profession. From aardvark anatomists to zither makers, successful employees and even successful entrepreneurs need to have the ability to work cooperatively with others.
Furthermore, whether at work, at home, or within the community, sharing knowledge from a variety of sources will help you -- and your family or co-workers -- to achieve goals. In the complex information-driven society in which we live, no one has all the answers, data, or ideas. In other words, you can't get that space shuttle off the ground -- or back on the ground -- by yourself.
Cooperative learning may be very different from traditional forms of learning you have previously experienced. When you are in a cooperative learning group, you can erase the picture of a teacher in front of the classroom delivering a lecture. The paradigm has shifted and students take charge of their own learning via their cooperative learning groups. The teacher shifts from an expert information provider to a group facilitator.
And so, cooperative learning is both a teaching philosophy and a collection of instructional strategies to help you become proficient as a team player, learner, and worker. Cooperative learning has a synergistic (according to the dictionary that means "cooperative action among discrete agencies") effect. It will help you learn better and accomplish more by creating a way of learning in which the whole is greater than the sum of all the parts.
After completing this module on cooperative learning, you will have taken a giant step toward becoming a skillful cooperative learning group member. Remember, this is just an introduction. As you are working through this module, think about other situations in which you would benefit from cooperative learning experiences and look for opportunities to continue participating in cooperative learning groups.
The ideal way to become skilled in cooperative learning is to experience it. First, you need to understand the basic tools. The overall goal of this module is to enable you to successfully engage in cooperative learning. Upon completion of this module, the learner will be able to:
- define cooperative learning
- recognize the importance of cooperative learning
- explain some of the things students should do in cooperative learning groups
- name and explain five roles and responsibilities of cooperative learning group members
- assume a cooperative learning role
- define competitive and individualistic learning
- describe the difference between cooperative learning and competitive and individualistic learning
- compare traditional learning groups with cooperative learning groups
- name and explain the five basic elements of cooperative learning
- list some of the benefits of cooperative learning
- complete an individual evaluation form
- complete a group evaluation form and recognize problem situations
- formulate strategies to handle problem situations
- state reasons why cooperative learning is effective
- recognize and formulate strategies for handling group issues
- analyze group situations which required trouble-shooting activities
The cooperative learning information is organized in three parts:
Part 1 is about the characteristics, basic elements, and benefits of cooperative learning.
Part 2 is about the characteristics of an effective group and expected behaviors and responsibilities of group members.
Part 3 is about what to do when problems arise while working with other group members.
You will be completing activities throughout the three sections that will help you consolidate and summarize what you have learned and assist you in thinking about how to apply the information to your personal situation. The activities are designed to help you prepare for future group meetings and further cooperative learning experiences.
The materials for the iStudy for Success modules were originally developed atthe Jack P. Royer Center for Learning and Academic Technologies.
Additional materials were developed and assistance was provided by the University Learning Centers (ULC), University Park.
The ANGEL version of the modules is being administered by TLT. For more information about iStudy for Success modules, please contact tlt@psu.edu.
The Pennsylvania State University ©2004 All rights reserved. Please read the entire license agreement before distributing the modules, and before modifying and sharing the content of the modules. This statement MUST accompany this module and all derivative works.