Cooperative Learning- Math 1510

This week we watched an interesting video showing students in a classroom working in cooperative groups. Cooperative learning is often compared to group work but they are very different strategies. Many times in group work one or two students end up doing the work while the rest of the group sits back and doesn’t put any effort into the work. Cooperative learning utilizes groups but holds every group member accountable. The following video gives an overview of what cooperative learning is and how it works.



When I think of cooperative learning I can think of many different benefits to using this method. One of the benefits of this method is that students are actively engaged in their learning. Instead of sitting at their desk passively listening to the teacher lecture them about a particular topic, students can dive in and explore and make sense of what they are learning. Cooperative learning also teaches students social skills and allows them to practice their skills in a safe environment. As students continue through their education and make their way into the working world they are going to have to learn how to work well with others. Cooperative learning teaches students how to listen to what other people have to say and make compromises. It also teaches students that it is alright to ask for help or admit to any mistakes that may have been made.

Although there are several benefits to using cooperative learning there are also several disadvantages. One of the first disadvantages that came to my mind would that it could be a source of arguments and frustration within the group or the classroom as a whole. Nobody likes to be wrong. The same is true for students in a classroom. They don’t want to be proven wrong. If the group chemistry is not strong arguments can break out quickly. If there is a lack of structure among the groups things can quickly get off track. Students need to have structure within the class and the group so that they can stay on task and complete the job. If the structure is not there then there is also the risk of turning into your average group work with only one or two students doing all of the work.

The following video provides tips on how to effectively utilize cooperative learning in the classroom.



I found a website that is hosted by the University of Missouri that is filled with links related to cooperative learning. This website has pages and pages of links with more information about cooperative learning as well as activity ideas. Check it out!