Cooperative Learning a Beginning

Kristin Hase, 2016

Cooperative Learning It’s more than group work

Definition

• Cooperative Learning is a teaching arrangement that refers to small, heterogeneous groups of students working together to achieve a common goal (Kagan, 1994).

• Cooperative Learning is the instructional use of small groups so that students work together to maximize their own and each other’s learning. –Johnson & Johnson

vs

Group Work vs Cooperative Learning

The Key is

PIES

The basic elements are PIES:

• Positive Interdependence - occurs when gains of individuals or teams are positively correlated.

• Individual Accountability - occurs when all students in a group are held accountable for doing a share of the work and for mastery of the material to be learned.

• Equal Participation - occurs when each member of the group is afforded equal shares of responsibility and input.

• Simultaneous Interaction - occurs when class time is designed to allow many student interactions during the period.

Positive Interdependence– Success of one is linked to the success of the other(s)– Mutually dependent on one another• “Is a gain for one, a gain for another? Is help

necessary?”Individual Accountability

– Each student accountable for some public display* “Is individual public performance required?”

Equal Participation– Everyone must participate* “How equal is the participation?”

Simultaneous Interaction– Students are participating frequently* “What percent are overtly active at once?”

Kagan pgs. 5.9-5.12

Group Work vs. Cooperative Learning

GROUP WORK

• 25% of kids engaged

• Not all kids will reach mastery

• Research shows that when teachers move from independent seat work to group work, scores went down.

COOPERATIVE LEARNING

• Everyone engaged

• Process/think time

• Social Skills

• Communication skills

• Safety

• Equal time

• Voice – opportunity to be heard

• Mastery increases

Cooperative Learning = structures to ensure students work together well•all students participate•all held accountable for their contributions and learning•maximally engaged•work together toward shared team goals

--Kagan p. 5.1

Cooperative Learning engages all students

What is MOTIVATING to students?*Relevance *Interest*Choice *Collaboration

Based on the work by John Guthrie

Engagement = Thinking + Motivation

Thinking+ MotivationEngagement

Engagement LEARNING

Based on the work by John Guthrie

–Academics

–Behavior

–Social skills

–Motivation

Cooperative Learning supports students with:

Cooperative Learning Key Concepts

• Teams

• Will

• Management

• Skills

• Basic Principles

• Co-op Strategies

Teams

How many students should be on each team?

• Teams of 4 are ideal.

How do I form teams?

• Heterogeneous, homogeneous and random: Heterogeneous groups are assigned by the teacher and are long term. Occasional breakouts into homogeneous or random groups allows variety.

How long should teams stay together?

• 5 to 6 weeks allows teammates to bond and form a team identity.

Will

What should I do if my students don’t want to work together?

• Students must have the will to cooperate.

• Teambuilding and class building create this will.

Should I assign group grades to motivate teams?

• Because they are unfair and undermine motivation, group grades should never be used.

Management

How do I arrange my classroom?• Group students together to form teams.How do I manage the increased noise of a cooperative classroom?• The quiet signal• Assigning roles• Team questions• Model, model, modelWhat do I do if teams finish early?• Have something in the wings, such as a sponge

activity or a challenge problem.

Management – cont.

How do I get my students to understand what I want them to do as a team?

• Model, model, model

• Give instructions in small pieces.

How should I handle student questions?

• “Three before me” rule

How do I handle the “difficult” students?

• Teachers report fewer discipline problems in a caring and cooperative classroom.

• Students need social skills to work together well.

Skills

What social skills are emphasizedin cooperative learning?• Listening• Conflict resolution• TutoringFour teacher tools facilitate learning social skills1. Roles and gambits2. Cooperative strategies3. Modeling, reinforcement and practice4. Reflection and planning

Basic Principles of Cooperative Learning

• PIES

• If PIES are in place it is good, cooperative learning

• If PIES are not in place,

it is group work

Structures

What is a structure?

• Content-free, repeatable sequence of steps designed to structure the interaction of learners with each other, the curriculum, and/or the teacher

How many structures are there?

• There are many cooperative strategies each designed to achieve different objectives

• More than 150 Kagan structures.

Before Implementation

1. Develop positive classroom environment and cooperative climate

2. Consider group size3. Decide how long groups will

work together4. Determine academic and

behavioral/interpersonal objectives

5. Plan for the room arrangement6. Prepare materials7. Determine roles for the group

members

Implementation

1. Explain what will occur

2. Clearly explain the assignment

3. Avoid the temptation to “lead” the groups

4. Monitor and assist as needed

5. Evaluate each groups' performance/product

6. Have the groups assess how well they worked together

7 Keys: from Kagan

StructuresTeamsManagementClassbuildingTeambuildingSocial skillsPIES

Indicates how Cooperative Learning fits into our Danielson Growth Tool

Planning & Preparation

The Classroom Environment

Professional Responsibilities

Knowledge of:

Content & Pedagogy

Students

Instructional Outcomes

Resources

Designing Coherent Instruction

Designing Student Assessments

Respect and Rapport

Culture for Learning

Managing Classroom Procedures

Managing Students Behavior

Organizing Physical Space

Communication with Students

Questioning and Discussion Techniques

Engaging Students in Learning

Using Assessments in Instruction

Flexibility and Responsiveness

Reflecting on Teaching

Maintaining Accurate Records

Communicating with Families

Participating in the Professional Community

Growing and Developing Professionally

Showing Professionalism

Instruction

Resources

• Kagan, L., Kagan, S., & Kagan M. Kagan Cooperative Learning: It’s All About Engagement. San Clemente, CA: Kagan Publishing, 2009

• http://www.co-operation.org/home/introduction-to-cooperative-learning/

• http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/oct14/vol72/num02/Making-Cooperative-Learning-Powerful.aspx

• https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/OR/ConsumerGuides/cooplear.html

• http://www.successforall.org/elementary/powerful-instruction/our-instructional-design/cooperative-learning/

• http://www.behavioradvisor.com/CoopLearning.html