Cooperative Learning

    By contemporary teaching we need to understand that kind of teaching, which facilitates with appropriate forms, methods, techniques and strategies in the learning process of students. One of them is team work.  This method approves exactly cooperative learning.

Teaching and learning are quite complex processes, but in order to be realized as successfully as possible, some components must be implemented which are of special importance and are the key to success. Among the components, methods, techniques and especially forms of group work are important, which is the way through which our students achieve their goals in the learning process.

And what means cooperative learning? Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping their teammates learn, thus creating an atmosphere of achievement.  Students work together on a common task. The task can be simple or not . In some cases, each member of the group is individually responsible for a part of the task, and in other cases, group members work together without formal role assignments.

It is important beacuse Cooperative learning encourages achievement, student discussion, active learning, student confidence, and motivation.

 Positive effects of cooperative learning:

1. Students have more opportunities to communicate with each other.

2. They are more focused on learning, as everyone has their duty and responsibility, from the performance of which the result of the group is determined.

3. They feel more secure and liberated than when asked in front of the whole class.

4. Develops problem-solving skills that are specific to the learning content.

 

Some class activities that are use by teachers for this strategy are: 

- Jigsaw 

- Three-minute review

- Three-step Interview 

- Think pair-shave 

 - Partners 

 - Circle the sage   etc

 

 But the question arises: When can teachers use it?

Collaborative learning can be used in any classroom at any level with any subject area. Collaborative learning works well when it is part of a classroom culture and when students are familiar with working together and know what is expected of them. Below are some ideas for using collaborative groups in your classroom.

To sum up with, cooperative learning is an important startegy because carefully structured activities can help students learn the skills to work together successfully, and structured discussion and reflection on the group process can help avoid some problems.