1. Janet Branchaw Carol Hurney Jenny Knight Alix Dardin
Cooperative Learning
Janet Branchaw
Carol Hurney
Jenny Knight
Alix Dardin

2. Cooperative Learning, a teaching strategy in which small teams, each with different students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught, but also for helping teammates learn.

3. Learning Paradigms Student-student classroom interactions
Common characteristics
A) Competitive learning
- work individually
- common learning goals/tasks
- grading via norm-referenced methods (eg, grading on a curve)
B) Individualistic learning
individualized learning goals
grading via criteria-referenced methods (eg, rubric-based)
C) Cooperative learning
- work in small groups
shared learning goals, can be similar or different from other groups
graded on group work as well as individual work

4. Why Cooperative Learning?
Research has shown that cooperative learning techniques:
promote student learning and academic achievement
increase student retention
enhance student satisfaction with their learning experience
help students develop skills in oral communication
develop students’ social skills
promote student self-esteem
help to promote positive race relations

5. Elements of Cooperative Learning
Positive Interdependence
Face-to-Face Interaction
Individual and Group Accountability
Interpersonal and Small-Group Skills
Group Processing

6. Examples of Cooperative Learning
Jigsaw
Think-Pair-Share
Guided Reciprocal Peer Questioning
Three-Step Interview
Round Robin Brainstorming
Group Projects
Three-Minute Review
Numbered Heads Together
Team Pair Solo
Circle the Sage
Partners

7. Web Sites: Cooperative Learning
Study Guides and Strategies (group projects)
Foundation Coalition
Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative at University of British Columbia