Initially, I was nervous about the squares project because we did something similar in 406 with triangles and our group didn't get very far. I think what helped this time around was the fact that we had roles, so everyone had a job, and Dr. Horowitz gave us a couple of examples in the beginning. I would venture to say that what we did in 406 was group work.
Common problems with group work that could be solved by using cooperative learning. Group work often tends to shift to a dynamic where one or two people do most of the work, either by choice or default. Using Cooperative Learning ensures that all students are involved in the learning process. Group work does not foster an environment where students can build on social skills. Some students may end up in groups either with all or none of their friends. This could lead to segregation in classes. I liked that Cooperative Learning had a method for everything. Group work seems to be, "let's just get together with whoever we're sitting with and work on this..." Cooperative Learning is thoughtful an deliberate.
I was also glad that Dr. Horwitz didn't fluff it over by just telling us how useful Cooperative Learning can be; she also made sure to let us know how much work went into preparing to run a lesson in this way. I think the good thing as we go further in our professional careers will be that we build these lessons and can hang on to them. Our handy, dandy toolbox, right?
There are so many benefits to Cooperative Learning that I struggle to list them all, yet I was able to find this image. It does a nice job of mentioning so many of the positives of Cooperative Learning.
I was also glad that Dr. Horwitz didn't fluff it over by just telling us how useful Cooperative Learning can be; she also made sure to let us know how much work went into preparing to run a lesson in this way. I think the good thing as we go further in our professional careers will be that we build these lessons and can hang on to them. Our handy, dandy toolbox, right?
There are so many benefits to Cooperative Learning that I struggle to list them all, yet I was able to find this image. It does a nice job of mentioning so many of the positives of Cooperative Learning.
Hey thanks for the post. I totally agree with you. There is a huge misunderstanding that Cooperative Learning is group work and that its a way for a teacher to slack off which is no true. I can only imagine the prep work it too Dr. H to get all our stuff together, let alone what it will be like for us. I'm glad you see how effective and awesome it is too, and this tool is definitely going in my toolbox.
ReplyDeleteHi Michele,
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that you mentioned the triangles activity; we did that in my 406 class a couple of weeks ago. In our class we were organized into pairs and we didn't have assigned roles, so I agree that it definitely wasn't cooperative learning. However, I actually enjoyed the triangles activity and felt like I learned more from it than I did from the squares activity. There was definitely a competitive aspect to it, although there was no prize for finishing first, but we also had most of the class period to work on it. I think it was actually an example of indirect instruction, which is why there wasn't much explanation in the very beginning of the class.
Hi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part about Cooperative Learning is that it establishes a wider classroom community. We have all been out of high school a long time now, but I'm sure we can all remember all the cliques and segregation between groups that went on and you mentioned in your post. This type of learning breaks that down, forces students who usually don't work together, to do so. There are some negatives to this I'm sure, but I think with effective planning, you can reduce a lot of those, and get students interacting with all types of individuals. I think the more we use Cooperative Learning, the more comfortable our classrooms will feel to us, as well as to our students.
Ryan, I totally agree. I keep coming back to "community of learners." Everyone working together. I am not unrealistic and recognize that my classes will not be perfect, there will be drama, I'm sure, but activities like this definitely do break up the cliques and get people working together. Like, I haven't worked with Heather or Carina much this semester but we had a great group and I think we did pretty good together. It was also nice because I was able to get to know them a little. Sometimes, it's not even about cliques but we just tend to drift to who we're comfortable with. Cooperative Learning gets us out of our comfort zones which is good for students because they may find they have commonalities with people they normally wouldn't have worked with.
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