Skip to main content
Castle Software, Inc
Castle Software, Inc
  • Why Castle
    • Overview
    • Teachers
    • Administrators
    • Students
    • Parents
    • Checklist Challenge
  • Content
    • Overview
    • English
    • Math
    • Science
    • Social Studies
    • Foreign Language
    • Theology
    • Physical Education & Health
    • SAT / ACT Prep Courses
    • Financial Literacy
  • Products
  • Training
    • Success Planning
    • Training Information
    • Training Webinars
  • Resources
    • Support
    • Onboarding/Account Setup
    • Blog
    • Success Stories
    • Practice Assignments
    • Free EBooks
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Login

Castle Software, Inc

USA

Phone: 1-800-345-7606

Email: info@castlelearning.com

Connect
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Castle Software, Inc

USA

Phone: 1-800-345-7606

Email: info@castlelearning.com

Connect
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
Castle Software, Inc
  • Why Castle
    • Overview
    • Teachers
    • Administrators
    • Students
    • Parents
    • Checklist Challenge
  • Content
    • Overview
    • English
    • Math
    • Science
    • Social Studies
    • Foreign Language
    • Theology
    • Physical Education & Health
    • SAT / ACT Prep Courses
    • Financial Literacy
  • Products
  • Training
    • Success Planning
    • Training Information
    • Training Webinars
  • Resources
    • Support
    • Onboarding/Account Setup
    • Blog
    • Success Stories
    • Practice Assignments
    • Free EBooks
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Login
Blog

How to Best Utilize Cooperative Learning in the Classroom

Posted on February 15, 2016

Teachers know the importance of having their lesson plans curated so they engage students, instruct, and assess. Teachers also know the importance of structure, clear directions, and expectations for students at each point, as a rationale or reason why the work is important.   

These same principles are utilized when engaging in cooperative learning. 

Cooperative learning takes the focus off the teacher and places it on the students.  The expectations shift, as students rely on each other to help piece together the process.  

Before we look at the best ways to utilize this effective way of instruction, we need make sure students understand what’s expected of them in this type of classroom learning. These are the promises your students will make before they are assigned any individual roles within the group:

Ground Rules for Group Work

  • Support Your Teammates
  • Contribute Ideas
  • Listen Carefully to Others
  • Build on the Ideas of Others
  • Keep on Task
  • Have a Positive Attitude
  • Help Clean Up the Classroom Afterwards

These are the guidelines that stay consistent no matter what the overall assignment may be.  It can be helpful to post these Group Work Guidelines somewhere in the classroom at all times.

Now that students are ready for cooperative learning, we can take a look at the key components to any group assignment.  

Establish Group Goals
Students need to know what is expected of them and their group. Have the overall objective presented to the class before the groups are formed. Students individually must understand what their goals are, and then figure out how the group can achieve these goals.
 
Keep Groups Small
The more students in the group, the more difficult it will be to make sure all students are on task and contributing. Make this easier by keeping groups under six students if possible. It may mean more groups, but participation will be easier to assess.
 
Assign Equal Roles
Each student should be expected to complete a particular role and duty of work within the group. The kind of work that needs to be completed should be done equally. This will keep students working at the same time, as well as keeping feelings of “unfairness” from growing from individual students. (Though roles are equal, the teacher differentiates the types of learning to adapt various learner needs.)
 
Give Pre- and Post-Tests to the Group
This method helps maintain an equal level of understanding at the start and finish of the project.  Assess the students prior knowledge going in with a pre-test and after the completion of the project have them take the post-test.  This will show how the group responded to the material as a team.
 
Allow For Individual Reflection
The final piece of the assessment should come in the form of individual reflection.  This is a chance for students to privately discuss their thoughts and reactions to the project, their role, and how they worked with their teammates.  Use this to assess your own assignment’s success rate as well as the groups’.  

Share on:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

  • All Posts
  • News & Updates
  • English & Language Arts
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Foreign Language
  • Product Insights
  • Uncategorized

Archives

Tags

  • summer school
  • self-study
  • ELL
  • Spanish
  • remote learning
  • Social Studies
  • Science
  • math
  • ELA
  • referral
  • general
  • english
  • assessments
  • elearning
  • health
  • physical education
  • social media
  • LMS
  • reading
  • contest
  • testimonial
  • news & updates
  • for teachers
  • for admins
  • blog
  • summer
  • For students
  • castle learning
Castle Software, Inc
Quick Links
  • Why Castle
  • Content
  • Products
  • Training
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
Legal Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Contact

Castle Software, Inc

USA

Phone: 1-800-345-7606

Email: info@castlelearning.com

Social Media
Connect
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Get In Touch
Castle Software, Inc

Copyright © 2023 Castle Software, Inc. All rights reserved.

Website by Imagebox