UCITE

Cooperative learning

The terms "Collaborative Learning", "Cooperative Learning", and "Team-based Learning" are often used interchangeably, although they have slight differences in meaning and implementation practices.

Done well, cooperative learning can make the learning experience very enjoyable for both students and teacher and also result in marked improvements in learning. But many students dislike cooperative learning because of their past negative experiences with it. This is often because their instructors have used this method without putting into place the proper structures.

Necessary conditions for successful cooperative learning

Successful cooperative learning occurs when instructors make sure they have put into place structures and processes that ensure the following:

1. The students feel that they need, depend on, and value each other for success. (implementation suggestions)


2. The students directly engage and communicate with each other. (implementation suggestions)


3. No student gets a 'free ride' at the expense of others. (implementation suggestions)


4. Groups are reflecting on, and improving, their ability to work cooperatively. (implementation suggestions)

Part of the purpose of collaborative work is to help students become aware of, and develop, the kinds of interpersonal social skills required to work productively with others.

In addition to the above considerations, there are some other important issues that have to be considered before implementing cooperative learning.

1. Getting started
2. Some important general information
3. Methods of forming groups
4. Group types
5. Effective group work (for students to read)
6. Group communication inventory

Some links to other sources containing useful information on cooperative learning implementation

Collaborative Learning. This link takes you to a very good site on this topic that addresses the above questions. It explores all the important issues that arise when you use cooperative learning, and gives you lots of valuable suggestions.

Team-Based Learning. This link takes you to a site that has an alternative approach to structuring cooperative learning environments. This approach is more structured and prescriptive than the one above. A particularly useful section is the one on "Creating Effective Assignments for Teams." There is also a particular application to medical education.

This link is to a long article by Ted Panitz, a very enthusiastic advocate of cooperative learning who has marshalled all the research and benefits to be had from using it in education.