Lesson 13: Cooperative Learning with the Computer

Cooperative or collaborative learning is learning by small groups of students who work together in a common learning task. It is often also called group learning but to be truly cooperative learning, five (5) elements are needed: a common goal, interdependence, interaction, individual accountability, and social skills. It encourages active learning while motivating students; increases academic performance; promotes literacy and language skills; and improves teacher effectiveness.

         The teacher is assigned several tasks in order to ensure collaborative learning. These are: assigning students to mixed-ability teams; establishing positive interdependence; teaching cooperative social skills; insuring individual accountability; and helping groups process information. It is also important for the teacher to limit learning group clusters  (six is the ideal number in a group) so that there can be closer involvement in thinking and learning.