Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is a successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with 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, thus creating an atmosphere of achievement. Students work through the assignment until all group members successfully understand and complete it.

Cooperative efforts result in participants striving for mutual benefit so that all group members:

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gain from each other's efforts. (Your success benefits me and my success benefits you.)
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recognize that all group members share a common fate. (We all sink or swim together here.)
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know that one's performance is mutually caused by oneself and one's team members. (We can not do it without you.)
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feel proud and jointly celebrate when a group member is recognized for achievement. (We all congratulate you on your accomplishment!).

Why use Cooperative Learning?

Research has shown that cooperative learning techniques:

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promote student learning and academic achievement
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increase student retention
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enhance student satisfaction with their learning experience
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help students develop skills in oral communication
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develop students' social skills
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promote student self-esteem
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help to promote positive race relations


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