Cooperative Learning

Developed by Rebecca Teed, John McDaris, and Cary Roseth

Check out a video of the use of Active Learning Groups in a Chemistry program at CSU Long Beach.

What is Cooperative Learning?

Cooperative Learning involves structuring classes around small groups that work together in such a way that each group member's success is dependent on the group's success. There are different kinds of groups for different situations, but they all balance some key elements that distinguish cooperative learning from competitive or individualistic learning.

Cooperative learning can also be contrasted with what it is not. Cooperation is not having students sit side-by-side at the same table to talk with each other as they do their individual assignments. Cooperation is not assigning a report to a group of students where one student does all the work and the others put their names on the product as well. Cooperation involves much more than being physically near other students, discussing material, helping, or sharing material with other students. There is a crucial difference between simply putting students into groups to learn and in structuring cooperative interdependence among students.

• What is Cooperative Learning? - key elements and techniques of cooperative learning.
  

Why Use Cooperative Learning?

Extensive research has compared cooperative learning with traditional classroom instruction using the same teachers, curriculum, and assessments.

On the average:

• Students who engage in cooperative learning learn significantly more, remember it longer, and develop better critical-thinking skills than their counterparts in traditional lecture classes.
• Students enjoy cooperative learning more than traditional lecture classes, so they are more likely to attend classes and finish the course.
• Students are going to go on to jobs that require teamwork. Cooperative learning helps students develop the skills necessary to work on projects too difficult and complex for any one person to do in a reasonable amount of time.

• Why Use Cooperative Learning? - results of a number of studies conducted on cooperative learning
  

How to Use Cooperative Learning

Conducting a cooperative lesson involves several important steps:

• Preinstructional Decisions
• Explaining the task and cooperative structure of the lesson
• Monitor all learning groups and intervene when necessary
• Assess students' achievement of learning goals and teamwork
• With your students, process students' achievement of learning goals and teamwork

• How to Use Cooperative Learning - five key steps for successfully implementing cooperative learning.
  

Resources

• Bibliography of useful books and articles about cooperative learning.
• Web Resources which provide additional information on cooperative learning.
• Examples of ways to use cooperative learning in your classroom.

Dr. Ken Nakayama has developed a set of video and curricular resources about his use of Active Learning Groups in his chemistry classes at California State University - Long Beach. In addition to video of how and why he implemented the pedagogy in his class, visitors can see it in action and access a best practices guide for using Active Learning Groups. Click on the image at left to learn more.