What is Co-operative Learning?

Co-operative Learning is a group process in which students learn from one another, think together, and complete tasks together (Siegel, 2005).  In an article by Johnson & Johnson (1992) the authors clearly emphasize that in order for an individual to learn, a learning partner is required.

In one of my previous classes, my teacher had stated she was trying something new and termed it by the name of ‘Co-operative Learning’. In that class, she very rarely taught but instead got the students to teach. As I had mentioned in my previous blog post that one of the most memorable classes I had taken was an English course in my first year, that Social Studies class was not far behind; I feel that in that class I was able to focus more by listening to my fellow peers.

Advantage and Disadvantage

A major advantage to Co-operative Learning is that “cooperative learning techniques have been found to be more effective for promoting student learning” (Holter, 1994). I think this is particularly beneficial in courses where you need to memorize stories – sometimes someone says something a particular way and you just never forget it. What do you think?

One major disadvantage of co-operative learning is that when students are put in groups it can become about socialization and not learning. A good way to avoid this is by allocating different ‘roles’ to each student.

Relating Co-operative Learning to EDCI 335

Relating cooperative learning to this course, I think of the Interactive Learning Resource. Within our Interactive Learning Resource, we are working with others to create a learning design. On a side note, our blueprint so far has not taken cooperative learning into consideration. 

Additionally, in the material required for last week’s reading/videos, we heard a story of Susan and Robert. Throughout the introduction of these students, and a journey with them through various classes, we see them working together at the end bringing about high-level learning for each individual.

Watch this video referring to Cooperative Learning:

Speaking with Others in This Class:

One thing that a colleague brought up was a video demonstrating cooperative learning- ‘The Jigsaw Method’- I thought this was a brilliant idea to help avoid the major disadvantage addressed above.

References

Holter, N. C. (1994). Team assignments can be effective cooperative learning techniques. Journal of Education for Business, 70(2), 73. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.1080/08832323.1994.10117727

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (1992). Implementing cooperative learning. Contemporary Education, 63(3), 173.

Siegel, C. (2005). Implementing a Research-Based Model of Cooperative Learning. The Journal of Educational Research, 98(6), 339–349. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.3200/JOER.98.6.339-349

This post is on cooperative learning as well. I love how well the writer related their Interactive Learning Design to this type of learning/teaching style.

Post #2 – Learning Design II