Pick a topic you might effectively teach through a cooperative learning approach. Then, using guidelines presented in the textbook, describe how you will:

Question

a. Form your cooperative groups
b. Foster interdependence of group members
c. Assess what students have learned

Answer 1

The response should first identify a specific topic that might realistically be taught with a cooperative learning approach. Parts a through c below should be addressed within the context of this topic.
a. The procedure used to form cooperative groups should ensure that students in each group can work effectively together. The groups should be somewhat diverse with respect to gender and ethnic background (gender-homogeneous groups are appropriate if there is a desire to encourage girls to participate more actively). The response should include an explanation of how heterogeneous the groups are with respect to ability level and offer a rationale for the decision.
b. Interdependence of group members can be achieved by: (1) assigning different roles to different group members (e.g., through scripted cooperation), or (2) using a jigsaw technique in which each group member receives information that he or she must then teach to the rest of the group. The response needs to describe only one of these strategies.
c. Cooperative learning is most effective when students are individually accountable for their own learning but also receive rewards for achievement of the group as a whole