How to incorporate CL in the classroom.

1. COOPERATIVE LEARNING

2. Cooperative learning is learning in which the
student plays a role in his or her own learning. It
involves two or more people actively engaging
in activities where knowledge is shared.
There are five fundamental elements involved in
cooperative learning.

3. POSITIVE INTERDEPENDENCE
This is where students are connected to their
group members and are mutually reliant on each
other. They perceive that they cannot succeed
unless they all do and they coordinate their efforts
so as to complete the task.

4. INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY
This is where each group member is responsible for
their part of the task. They also report their progress to
their group and the group’s progress to the class. The
group is rewarded based on the efforts of all group
members in completing their tasks.

5. INTERPERSONAL AND SMALL GROUP
SKILLS
These are the skills used to interact with group members effectively.
Interpersonal skills involve actively listening, stating ideas freely,
accepting responsibility and providing constructive criticism. Small
group skills involve taking turns, sharing tasks, democratic decision
making, perspective talking and clarifying differences.
In order for students to communicate effectively they must get to
know and trust each other, accept and support each other, resolve
conflicts constructively and communicate accurately.

6. PROMOTING INTERACTION
This involves individuals promoting and supporting each
other’s efforts to achieve the group’s goal. Promotive
interaction involves using material, emotional and
interpersonal resources to push for the best outcome for
the group.

7. GROUP PROCESSING
This is reflecting on a groups’ session by
describing what members’ actions were helpful
or unhelpful and deciding on what actions
should continue or change.

8. STRUCTURING COOPERATIVE
LEARNING
As a teacher, I can structure an effective cooperative learning experience by allowing students to
be assigned to groups where they can share knowledge and listen and learn from other students.
When structuring this learning experience for students:
• Labour will be divided among students in the group.
• Each member will be assigned a duty and will be responsible for the behaviours of their
members. Help students to develop good cooperative skills by assigning a projects plays.
Encourage respectful behaviour towards others.
• Students can be assigned to a new group each month so that they are given the opportunity to
interact with a wide variety of classmates.
• I can ensure that they cooperating by monitoring frequently and providing a checklist. For
example, Did I contribute my ideas and information? or Did I ask for help when I needed it? Did
I included everyone in our work.

9. REFERENCES
Gillies, R., & Boyle, M. Cooperative learning: A smart pedagogy for
successful learning. Cooperative Learning Project.

10. THE END