Cooperative Learning

Cooperative Learning is an instructional approach that, as the name suggests, promotes learning of a specific topic through the cooperation of learners divided into small groups. The “cooperative” aspect emphasizes learner involvement and social organization. In fact, individuals contribute to the learning process in an interdependent manner, meaning they’re asked to solve individual and collective tasks to reach a shared, common goal. 

Bottom line: this methodology is based on the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts – even when it comes to learning. Curious to know more? Read on to get some tips and tricks on the matter.

Evocative acronyms are the education world’s bread and butter, and sometimes the buzz can get confusing. If you hear about pies when you are not at a bakery or dinner table, you might be in for a discussion about Spencer Kagan’s structural approach to collaborative learning.  It’s one of the most common approaches to collaborative learning and could be implemented in any learning context. This approach is based on four principles, often referred to as PIES – no pun intended:

• P = Positive Interdependence: Everyone has to work together to reach the group’s overall goal. That is: Are your learners working towards the same objective? Do they have to work together to complete the task?
• I = Individual Accountability: Each person is responsible for their own actions and decisions. That is: Can every member of the group be considered accountable for their choices in the learning exercise?
• E = Equal Participation: Everyone takes part, and no one is left out. That is: Everyone must have the opportunity to make their mark. Is everyone following the same rules and playing their part?
• S = Simultaneous Interaction: It’s all about real-time collaboration and getting immediate feedback. That is: Will everyone be working together at the same time?

According to Kagan, educators need to take into consideration all four principles in order to create cooperative learning experiences that work. So, make sure you keep these self-check questions handy before and while building the activity.

The role of the learners changes as they actively build and apply knowledge by becoming more accountable, active, and helpful – contributing to a common learning goal. What happens to the instructor’s role, though? How do they take part in the learning activity? 

If you are affected by one of these e-learning biases (link), you might think that Collaborative Learning is a methodology you can apply only in person, without the support of technology. Alas, this myth has been shattered! For example, here’s how you can leverage WeSchool technology to bring Cooperative Learning to life both online and in person:

Interdependence, Accountability, Participation, Interaction. Four words, one approach. Cooperative Learning is a teaching method that helps learners reach a common goal under the guidance of an instructor, based on the principle that the learning result is greater than the sum of its parts.