Cooperative Learning

"Cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski, 2007, p. 139). When placing students in groups, it is most beneficial to keep the groups small and consist of students with varying degrees of ability. As with any strategy, using the cooperative strategy should not be overused.

“Student-created multimedia is a natural environment for cooperative learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski, 2007, p. 141). Using technology, such as creating a PowerPoint presentation, a video or a podcast, requires many tasks to be completed, and naturally lends itself to cooperative learning. I liken it to using Literature Circles in my English classroom, where students are given specific responsibilities within a group in order to complete tasks related to their readings. Literature circles are form of student-centered, cooperative learning. Each student in a Literature Circle is responsible for a specific task, and therefore can be evaluated both individually and as a cooperative group. By adding technology to the process, the ‘old’ Literature circles can now have a 21st century facelift by providing out digital natives with the tools they have become accustomed to using in their everyday life.


References
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.