Cooperative Learning

A true cooperative learning experience requires that a number of criteria be met. They are:
-division of labor among students in the group
-face-to-face interaction between students
-assignment of roles to students
-group processing of a task
-positive interdependence in which students all need to do their assigned duties in order for the task to be completed
-individual accountability for completing one's own assigned duties
-the development of social skills as a result of cooperative interaction
-provision of group rewards by the teacher

The introduction of "learning teams" into the classroom is an effective method for increasing the number of students willing to make an effort to learn in school. The teams usually work together on long-term assignments, although sometimes students remain together in duos, triads or quadrants for the entire day. Each individual is responsible for assuring that the other members learn assigned material. Those who understand the lesson/material are responsible for teaching it to the others. My mixing the abilities of the learners children will indivudually and peer learn. This will allow students to learn from each other develop deeper understanding of the information. I will impliment this type of social collaboration to better utilize the students resources and individual skills in the classroom activiites.