I have recently been using cooperative learning techniques in my classroom and I learned several things about myself as a teacher and my students. I feel that cooperative learning groups is an excellent strategy for teaching. At first it was difficult to stand back and watch students interact with each other. The controlling teacher in me wanted to offer information to the students instead of allowing them to figure it out on their own. Once I realized how much more students internalize by working it out themselves it was easier to stand back and watch their brains work. Students were learning a tremendous amount of information from each other in groups. By actively involving students in cooperative learning groups I allowed conversation based student interaction to occur.
Can a second graders desire to talk be successfully turned into educational conversations with teacher assistance? I believe it can. In order to do this successfully the teacher must model exactly what the students are to do in their groups. The teacher should assign student jobs within their groups. By assigning jobs the teacher eliminates confrontations about who is to do what. The teacher must also state exactly what he/she expects the students to do, what behaviors the teacher expects to see, and what work will be looked at the end of the project.
Cooperative learning affected students learning process in several ways. The students helped one another acquire answers. Students depended on each other instead of depending solely on the teacher. Cooperative learning groups allowed the students to practice conversation skills. It also gave the students a chance to use each others schema.
Allowing students to work in cooperative learning groups helped eliminate the amount of conversations taking place “off” topic. On days I implemented cooperative learning groups in my classroom I noticed a significant change in the amount of talking taking place. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that cooperative learning groups not only eliminate “off” topic conversations but also promote a positive learning environment.
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2 comments:
Wow! It is so neat to read your experiences with cooperative learning. I am not yet a teacher, but I have learned all about this style of teaching and it's good to hear that it actually works. One point you made about it keeping the students conversation "on-topic" is very interesting. I hope one day I can implement cooperative learning in my classroom!
I love that you said you had a hard time at first not being in control when your students were in cooperative learning groups. I think that is hard at first most teachers.
I fully agree with you that cooperative learning groups engage students as well as provide immediate feedback which helps promote more in depth learning.
Another suggestion to limit off topic chatter is to give students a specific time amount to complete each part of the assignment. Then they monitor their own chatter and one of the group members will bring them back on topic.
Great blog!
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