Part of the Cool Sites series
Every Friday I am presenting free webinars thanks to American TESOL! We have an incredible time. Recently, we discussed the benefits of cooperative learning. Through cooperative learning students learn effective team work through:
- Accountability– students realize the contribution of each individual will determine the success of the task.
- Team building– students learn how to listen to each other, resolve conflicts, delegate tasks, set deadlines and support each other.
The teacher acts as the facilitator walking around the class and ensuring teams are supporting each other. The teams will have problems. A student from at least one of the teams will be lazy. Kids are this way, but this is a teachable moment. We get to help the students learn to resolve these conflicts. If we do not teach them they will not learn. When using cooperative learning, the teacher will think about the:
- Team formation– It’s important that teams consist of students with different abilities, skills, and cultural backgrounds.
- Structuring of tasks– Tasks should be designed so that one student cannot complete the task but each member’s contribution is needed.
Students will need to learn how to effectively work with others on problem solving when they enter college and the workforce. Imagine the teams you have been part of and the nightmare it has been!
Please check out the incredible thoughts shared by many educators in this Voicethread!
And here is the webinar I recently did on Cooperative Learning!
Cooperative Learning Classroom Activities
Check out these resources to integrate cooperative learning activities effectively.
Kagan Cooperative Learning-Structures for Success Part 1
Cooperative Learning Research
What Cooperative Learning Looks Like in the Classroom
What Works: Cooperation vs. Competition– Read about my experiences integrating cooperative learning into my young learners classroom
Cooperative Learning Games for Young Learners (PDF)
The different job titles and explanations along with links to Melissa Smith’s Cooperative Learning Project
Silent Card Shuffle (Video)
Several Cooperative Learning Activities on the Kagan Youtube Channel (Videos)
9 Cooperative Learning Activities
The Jigsaw Classroom
Alfie Kohn Resources
Workshops by Alfie Kohn relating to competition and rewards
No Contest: Podcast featuring an interview with Alfie Kohn
Punished by Rewards (Article) by Alfie Kohn
No Contest Excerpts of Alfie Kohn’s book
More Resources
What is Cooperative Learning? Research by the Institute for Character Education
Cooperative Learning Elements Kennesaw State University Resources
Several Cooperative Learning Resources by Cybraryman
Cooperative Learning in the Library by Cybraryman
New Teacher Chat (#NTChat) Archive: How can new teachers make cooperative learning more effective in the classroom?
The Cooperative Learning Network
Cooperative Learning Research and Education Programs
Challenge:
Try a cooperative learning lesson this semester!
