Varying views on Cooperative Learning

Many experts believe, and research has shown that there can be extraordinary success in cooperative learning environments. Education has shifted from the days of the teacher as the lecturer, to the teacher as a guide to education. This shift has enabled students to construct their knowledge based on their experiences. Students who work in groups, tend to get more out of their learning experiences. This can accomplished by providing opportunities for students to engage in critical thinking and exploration. They are able to bounce ideas off of each other, and investigate different perspectives.

Below is a video designed by a student, based on research, stating that cooperative learning is right for all students, regardless of their knowledge levels:



Due to these experiences that students are having during their primary education, they are learning from the beginning how to interact in the "real world." During their careers, people have to interact in groups and work with their peers to get ahead. Being successful in working with others is a developed skill and providing students with the opportunity to learn how to do this, from a young age. Students learn how to ask questions and conduct learning in a way that moves a group forward, therefore making them more marketable and successful in their professional and educational goals.

The only opposing view I have found is that some students may suffer from primarily learning in cooperative learning groups. Without proper preparation, structure, and guidance from the teacher, some students may end up doing most, or on the other hand, none of the work. I myself have had a lot of experience in these types of groups and as the student who got stuck doing most of the work, it was very frustrating. Having to depend on a peer who wouldn't pull their weight was very frustrating, particularly when my grade depended on their participation and input. I often found myself doing most or all of the work while they reaped the benefits.

This video discusses both sides of cooperative learning and potential downfalls to this type of instruction. She talks about one student always dominating discussions while other, more introverted students will sit back and are perceived as not learning or participating. She also discusses the effect that cooperative learning can have in regards to time and productivity.



To find an appropriate balance, I feel it is important for teachers to learn how to balance their assessment between group and individual scores. Creating individual milestones, group evaluations, clear group expectations, and individual rubrics may be possible solutions. It is my opinion that when it comes to presentations, students should be graded individually. It is so frustrating as a student when your grade goes down because someone got stage-fright. Having students turn in individual work in addition to their group findings for their assessment may alleviate some of this stress.
Here are some articles that discuss cooperative learning.
Starting Point
Ed. Tech
Concept to Classroom

An overview of cooperative learning

Constructivist philosophies teach us that cooperative learning is important to the overall success of students. Cooperative learning has been defined as an approach to organizing your classroom in a way that promotes academic and social learning, in a team or group setting. It is suggested that in order for these groups to have the highest rates of success, it's beneficial to put students of varying abilities in each individual group. Although research has shown success in this strategy, there are varying opinions. This blog will aim to provide a look into these views, as well as cooperative learning strategies that can be used in a Mathematics setting. I will also strive to provide options for assessment.

Group work is something that most students enjoy and can benefit from. However, the idea of cooperative learning can be inconsistent at times. Often, individual success is based on a final group grade. As we all know, there are times when one or two students in these groups do most of the work, while other students "slack off." The trick as a teacher, is to find a way that we can incorporate cooperative learning in a way that fairly assesses each student and their progress.