"Of all Classroom grouping strategies, Cooperative Learning may be the most flexible and powerful."
Marzano, Pickering and Pollock
Who does Cooperative Learning Benefit? Just the low kids?Cooperative learning has been shown to have a positive outcome on achievement in all major subjects, at all grade levels, in urban, rural, and suburban schools, and for high, average, and low achievers (Slavin 1991).
These results have been proved time and time again. Slavin collected data from over 60 major studies, all of which ran at least 4 weeks and included an experimental and control group that were given achievement tests under the same conditions (1989). Many teachers believe that cooperative learning is the domain of elementary school teachers, but that's just not so. All students, no matter their age, are motivated by and empowered by cooperative learning. |
How does Cooperative Learning Benefit students? Makes em nice or something?Johnson and Johnson (1989) stress 3 major benefits of cooperative learning over individualistic or competitive teaching approaches.
1. All levels of students that are taught using cooperative learning show higher achievement and greater productivity. 2. Students in cooperative learning classrooms demonstrate more caring, supportive, and committed relationships. 3. Students in cooperative learning classrooms report greater psychological, health, social competence, and self-esteem. |
Additional Links
Ted Panitz compiled an extensive list of the academic, social, and psychological benefits of cooperative learning. He goes on and on (and on and on and on and on) about their benefits but there's a lot of hard research to support him! Check it out here
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Kagan Cooperative Learning has over 40 excellent articles supporting the research and rationale of its Cooperative Learning approach using structures. If you're still not convinced, check them out here!
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References:
Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (1989). Cooperation and competition: Theory and research. Edina, Minn. : Interaction Book Company.
Kagan, S. Kagan Structures: Research and Rationale in a Nutshell. San Clemente, CA: Kagan Publishing.
Slavin, R. E. (1989) Research on Cooperative Learning: Consensus and Controversy. Educational Leadership, 47, 52-54.
Slavin, R. E. (1991). Synthesis of research on cooperative learning. Educational Leadership, 48, 71-82.
Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (1989). Cooperation and competition: Theory and research. Edina, Minn. : Interaction Book Company.
Kagan, S. Kagan Structures: Research and Rationale in a Nutshell. San Clemente, CA: Kagan Publishing.
Slavin, R. E. (1989) Research on Cooperative Learning: Consensus and Controversy. Educational Leadership, 47, 52-54.
Slavin, R. E. (1991). Synthesis of research on cooperative learning. Educational Leadership, 48, 71-82.