Part Three: Cooperative Learning (CL)
1. Overview
2. Some types of CL
3. Optimizing each group's dynamics
4. Assessment
5. Reading
6. Mathematics
7. Writing
8. Science
9. Very young students (kindergarten / pre-primary)
10. Learner.org videos (requires a free sign-in)
- Reading
- Mathematics
- Writing
- Science
- History / Geography / Social Studies
Overview
1. A scholar's introduction to cooperative learning
2. Part 2
3. Part 3
4. More on the scientific research supporting CL
5. 10 Big Ideas for Better Classrooms: #4. CL (Start at 7:10)
6. Cooperative learning: An essential practice of teaching
7. Collaborative learning and CL are essentially the same.
8. CL as a tool for transforming classrooms
9. A professor's first-year experience with CL
10. Tips for implementing cooperative learning activities
11. Mixed-ability groups at the secondary level
12. Strengthening creativity through CL: Part 1
13. Part 2
14. A discussion of CL at the college level, but the answers
apply to the lower levels of education too
15. A collaborative desktop interface for CL (i.e., collaborative
SMART boards)
Some types of CL
1. This is one type of CL called Complex Instruction.
2. Another type of CL called team-based learning
3. Another type of CL called the Jigsaw method
Optimizing each group's dynamics
1. An answer to "What makes a good team?"
2. Improving the group work skills of primary students
3. Improving these skills in a primary-level science class
4. Keeping misbehaving group members on task
5. Examples of ideal and problematic group work
(Cooperative learning is also synonymous with group work.):
a. Problematic
b. Ideal
Assessment
1. Assessment of cooperative learning in primary schools
2. Another video of assessment in a CL lesson
with the same age group
3. Peer assessment at the secondary level
4. More peer assessment: the academic subject may be unusual
(dance), but the processes shown here can be applied to other
subjects too.
Reading
1. Thinking Powers for Reading Comprehension (See 1:45. )
2. Teachers model a successful literature circle - a well-researched
cooperative learning activity for the reading classrom
3. A professor explains why literature circles are important.
4. Students discuss their roles in a literature circle.
5. A sample literature circle discussion
6. A teacher's debriefing to the class after a literature circle
7. Students working on vocabulary together
Mathematics
1. Cooperative learning in the secondary classroom
2. Problem-solving in groups at the primary level
3. Primary students practice using decimals in pairs and groups. Start
at the 6:40 mark.
4. Math as a social activity in the upper-primary classroom
5. A teacher explains the role of CL in the math classroom
(Be sure to turn up the volume.)
Writing
1. An example of a collaborative writing lesson
2. An overview of peer editing (The page is slow to load and would be
much better without the background music.)
3. The reasoning behind peer editing
4. More on peer editing - peer feedback to classmates’ written
analyses of poetry
Science
1. An overview of CL in general and footage of students
working in groups to make circuit boards
2. Students work in teams during a cell lesson. This video also talks a
lot about "Thinking Smart," an educational phrase synonymous with
multiple intelligences theory.
3. Cooperative learning in biology class - Part 1
4. Part 2
Very young students (kindergarten / pre-primary)
1. Small groups of very young students experiment with wires,
batteries, and light bulbs.
2. Small groups of very young students discuss the features of pigs.
3. Cooperative play in a pre-primary school (preschool)
- see the 3:23 mark.
Learner.org videos (requires a free sign-in)
Learner.org has some good videos where cooperative learning is demonstrated, but to view the videos, you must create an account (for free) and then sign in each time. I created a special e-mail account for people not wanting to make their own account. Log in here using this e-mail address - video@1for2.org - and this password - videos . Click "yes" to the question, "Remember me?," so that you do not have to log in again from the computer you are using.
You will then be taken to a screen that says this:
“Thank you for logging in. NOTE: All Video on Demand files are protected by copyright law and are free for streaming purpose only. Downloading, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Offenders will be subject to civil and/or criminal liability under applicable laws. You will be redirected to the content you were trying to view in a few seconds. If you are not redirected, please use this link.”
You will be taken to a new website, and a video will pop up in a second window. Neither one is related to cooperative learning. However, you must go through this process to be able to access the relevant videos. Close the smaller window that is showing the video while leaving the larger one open. Now you are ready to see Learner.org's videos about cooperative learning.
- Reading
1. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Classroom Program 9. Investigating Word Meaning: ... Ms. Zapata’s mini-lesson also models individual and small group work, as well book groups."
A. The video
2. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Classroom Program 10. Fostering Book Discussions: Third-grade teacher Maria Ruiz-Blanco is piloting the use of book club in her bilingual classroom. ... Working in groups, students discuss what they read, ask questions, and make connections to their own lives.
A. The video
- Mathematics
1. Description of the video (scroll down) - "3. Group Test: Students work in groups to solve test problems on mathematical modeling and functions."
A. The video
2. Description of the video (scroll down) - "4. Exploring Functions: Students practice process standards such as reasoning and problem-solving as they work in groups to solve two equations using more than one method—such as graphing, algebra, or geometry.
A. The video
3. Description of the video (scroll down) - "12. Calculator-Based Labs: Student groups learn how they will conduct two experiments using the Calculator-Based Laboratory (CBL) system—a temperature probe and a motion detector attached to graphing calculators."
A. The video
4. Description of the video (scroll down) - "14. Fish Derby: In a linear programming problem, students work in groups using the data they gathered and information on fishes’ breeding and feeding habits to determine optimal fish populations in a fictional pond."
A. The video
5. Description of the video (scroll down) - "15. Maximizing Profits: A class is divided into small groups to discuss problem-solving strategies, such as finding a verbal model, assigning labels, and writing an algebraic model based on maximizing profit on sales of necklaces and bracelets."
A. The video
6. Description of the video (scroll down) - "16. Conjectures Through Graphing: Students work in groups to solve four problems on derivatives of exponential functions."
A. The video
- Writing
1. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Workshop 7. Responding to Writing - Peer to Peer: Throughout the writing process, peer response can help young adolescents develop as thinkers and writers. In this session, participants explore strategies for structuring peer interactions and for teaching students to respond positively and productively to each other’s work."
A. The video
2. Description of the video (scroll down) - "Program 12. Peer Conferences: Third-grade teacher Jeanne Boiarsky teaches a peer conference protocol to her class and Lindsay Dibert’s fifth-grade class uses a different peer conference strategy in revising personal narratives."
A. The video
3. Description of the video (scroll down) - "14. Peer Feedback: Students, teachers, and professional writers demonstrate how the revision process often starts out — and sometimes works best — in a group setting. A federal judge and her clerks, a group of students, and a team of journalists illustrate how the whole can be greater than the sum of its writers."
A. The video
- Science
1. Description of a series of eight videos (with links to the videos) - "Science K-6: Investigating Classrooms shows how teachers are incorporating genuine inquiry into their classes. See experienced teachers create supportive learning environments, structure small groups for cooperative learning, and draw out and interpret what students are thinking and learning."
- History / Geography / Social Studies
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