It is a kind of teaching methodology.

2. INSTRUCTIONAL
CHARACTERISTICS
Cooperative incentive
structure
it is where two individuals
are interdependent for a
reward they will share if
they are successful as a
group.
Cooperative task
structure
it is a situation in which
two or more individuals
are allowed, encouraged
or require to work
together on some task.

3.  Reward systems are group-oriented rather than
individually-oriented.
 The interactions within the group is influenced by
the members themselves.
 Teams are made up of members with mixed
abilities-high, average and low achievers, they
exhibit less competitive behavior.
 Teams may be composed of males and females.

4.  Group work promotes maximal generation and
exchange of ideas, thus inforcing one another.
 It promotes tolerance and respect for other people’s
point of view.
 Cooperative learning groups exhibit less competitive
behavior.
 Group work develops friendliness, willingness to
assist and the worthwhile value of “caring and
sharing”.

5. APPROACHES USED
 Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD)
 Think- Pair- Share
Thinking phase
The teacher poses a question about the lesson. Students spend
time thinking of the answer alone.
Pairing phase
Each student pairs with another and discusses the answer
together. This interaction leads to sharing of ideas.
Sharing Phase
The teacher asks the pair to share their answers with the whole
class.

6.  Buzz groups
Groups of 3 to 6 discuss all their ideas about the topic. Then a
recorder summarizes the ideas arrived at to the class.
 Jigsaw
The students are assigned to 5-6 member study teams. Then a
topic is presented to them and each is responsible for a portion.
Members from different teams with the same topic meet together
to study and help each other learn their own topic. Then each of
them will return to their home team and discusses with the
members what they have learned, after discussions each
member takes a quiz. Team scores are obtained and the high
scoring team and each member are recognized.
 Group investigations
Groups’ 5-6 members are formed. They are involved in planning
the topics they like to investigate together with the procedure they
have to follow. They pursue in depth study of sub-topics and
conduct an analysis of the information obtained. Then the
conclusion is reported to the class.

7. LIMITATIONS
 Sometimes it leads to confusion especially when members
don’t understand clearly their involvement in each task to be
performed.
 The low achievers may end up “on-lookers” due to lack of skill.
 Some may not agree to group rewards, leading to low
motivation.