Benefits of Cooperative Classrooms

These benefits are taken from the research of Johnson and Johnson 1999 Methods of Cooperative Learning: What can we prove works?

• Students who learn in the cooperative model perform better academically than students who learn in the individual or competitive model especially in problem solving, predicting, and concept attainment.
• Short term and long term memory is increased for all ability level students.
• Cooperative learning groups promote self-esteem and school enjoyment.
• Cooperative learning leads to positive social interaction among students.
• Cooperative learning leads to stronger scholastic aspirations, pro-social behavior, and positive peer relationships.
• Cooperative learning is the most flexible and powerful classroom strategy.
• Cooperative learning works with all age and ability levels.
• Cooperative learning teaches how to work in teams, how to give and receive criticism, how to plan, how to monitor, and how to evaluate.

Further evidence from Brady, L. (2006) on the benefit of Cooperative learning groups.

• Positive interdependence
• Face-to-face interaction
• Individual accountability
• Development of social skills
• Group evaluation
• Cognitive development
• Personal skills
• Equity