One for All, All for One (Cooperative Learning)

I have just read the article about Cooperative Learning in foreign language teaching and I would like to share some of these useful ideas with you. It is impossible to single out one explanation for what cooperative learning is.  Spencer Kagan says that it is a complex entity: a form of teaching that challenges students at the intellectual as well as the social level. This type of learning consists in dividing students in small groups where interaction is structured. This method contradicts the traditional one, where the pupils were to do exercises aimed for future communication. Cooperative learning can be used at all age levels, it develops the ability to cooperate with others. Also we should take into account the fact that  the spontaneous joy of learning appears and the high level of activity prevents boredom and off-task behaviour.

I totally agree that "one builds up one´s own understanding of the world through communication". That´s why  it is essential to make our students speak at the classroom, mostly because it encourages thems to compete against each other for the teacher´s attention and permission to answer.

As far as the aims of the teacher are concerned, here we can present different structures of cooperative learning, which are based on relation to the nature and amount of the material that is to be worked:

1. team buiding 
2. class building
3. mastery
4. thinking skills
5. information sharing
6. communication skills

Cooperative learning puts students together to solve problems or discuss concepts that leads to greater understanding. Group activities also give students better social skills that they will need in the future. 

Everybody knows that  the theory is rather boring to read, but in this case it is very important to understand the principle of cooperative learning. As every theory needs practics, I would like to put here in my blog one of the best known cooperative learning exercise:

Think-Pair-Share

There are three steps to Think-Pair-Share activity. The FIRST step requires students to think independently about a question or concept you have just posed. It is best if you have students actually write their "answers" down on paper, as this will provide support for those students who might be more introverted. 

The SECOND step is to get students paired up so that they can exchange their ideas. You should instruct your "pairs" to discuss their individual answers and agree on answers that they think are best.

The THIRD step is to get some or all of the pairs (depending on the size of the class) to share their answers with the rest of the class.  It is a good structure because each student gets a chance to think, and then talk with another student before having to put himself or herself on the line by sharing with the entire class. By use of this exercise you can provide a structure where more of your students will talk.

To sum up this presentation, it would be amazing to mention that cooperative learning is an excellent form of teaching, since it enhances both the individual and the community. Students learn to listen, to respect different opinions and everyone can feel the importance of his/her point of view while  presenting his/her ideas in the classroom.