Cooperative+Learning



Over the past decade, ** cooperative learning ** has become one of the most popular, but often misunderstood, instructional strategies. Done properly, organizing students into cooperative learning groups has a powerful effect on learning. ** Cooperative learning ** has the added benefits of improving students' skills in communication, decision making, and conflict-resolution. Recognized leaders in the field of cooperative learning, Roger Johnson and David Johnson, define five elements of cooperative learning:
 * //positive interdependence// - a sense of sink or swim together
 * //face-to-face promotive interaction// - helping one another learn, applauding effort and success
 * //individual and group accountability// - each of us has to contribute to the group achieving its goals
 * //interpersonal and small group skills// - communication, trust, leadership, decision making, and conflict resolution
 * //group processing// - reflecting on how well the team is functioning and how it can function even better.

Johnson D.W., Johnson, R.T., & Holubec, E.J. (1993). //Cooperation in the classroom// (6th ed.). Edina, MN: Interaction Book.


 * Application **

A sample Google Docs survey regarding professional development: media type="custom" key="12393382"