Cooperative Learning - Essay Example

Moreover, each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping teammates learn, thus creating an atmosphere of achievement. Hence, students work through the assignment until all group members successfully understand and complete it (Kennesaw State University, 2009) There are several uses and benefits of cooperative learning, which have been typified by many authors. As such, according to Kennesaw State University (2009), the use of cooperative learning research design renders the following benefits: As stipulated by the authors above, cooperative learning provides positive learning experiences on students and might as well to the teachers.

It improves not only the intellectual aspect of students, but also their overall sociability, that is, improved social interaction, communication, and above all, cooperative learning epitomizes the respect to classmates or members of a group regardless of color, ethnicity, or race. The above methods of cooperative learning are said to have considerable diversity (Kagan, 1985). Nevertheless, although the aforementioned methods have different philosophies distinct from one another, a common purpose seems to be their uniting point- group empowerment through cooperation (Kagan, 1985).

According to Kagan (19. 5. It promotes positive social relations and pro-social development; and6. It increases the liking among students for class, school, learning, and self. (p 67)As stipulated by the authors above, cooperative learning provides positive learning experiences on students and might as well to the teachers. It improves not only the intellectual aspect of students, but also their overall sociability, that is, improved social interaction, communication, and above all, cooperative learning epitomizes the respect to classmates or members of a group regardless of color, ethnicity, or race.

The Methods of Cooperative LearningCooperative learning has various methods, which adhere to its principle of learning through cooperation. Kagan (1985), in his chapter, presented six cooperative learning methods, which are as follows: 1. Student Teams-Achievement Division (STAD)a) Class Presentationsb) Teamsc) Quizzesd) Individual Improvement Scorese) Team Recognition2. Teams-Games-Tournaments (TGT) a) Game Tournaments3. The Orginal Jigsaw (or Jigsaw I)4. Jigsaw II5. Group Investigation6. Co-op Co-opThe above methods of cooperative learning are said to have considerable diversity (Kagan, 1985).

Nevertheless, although the aforementioned methods have different philosophies distinct from one another, a common purpose seems to be their uniting point- group empowerment through cooperation (Kagan, 1985). The Elements of Cooperative Learning According to Kagan (1985), cooperative learning has certain elements that make its distinction from traditional instructional formats, which are summarized by the Kennesaw State University (2009), as follows:1. Positive Interdependence 2. Face-to-Face Interaction 3.

Individual and Group