cooperative learning in the classroom

Cooperative Learning in the ClassroomJill A. Aguilar

Based on Aguilar & Magruder, 2014

Cooperative Assignments

• What are benefits and pitfalls of incorporating cooperative learning into my classroom?

Classroom Challenges

• In a class of multiple levels of competence, where should I aim my instruction?

• How do I challenge each student to the edge of her competence?

• How can I support my students to assist each other’s learning?

According to Alexander Astin, classroom success is predicted by…

1. The number and quality of interactions between the students and the instructor, And…

2. The number and quality of interactions between students.

All Learning Is Social

Vygotsky defined learning as “becoming a

member of a culture”…

And teaching as “assisting performance.”

All Learning Is SocialVygotsky’s General Genetic Law of Cultural Development

• All learning occurs first on the intermental

plane, and then on the intramental plane.

INTERMENTAL

Intramental

All Learning Is Social

SOCIAL

Personal

General Genetic Law of Cultural Development

• All learning occurs first on the social

plane, and then on the personal plane.

Schoenbach, R., Greenleaf, C.L., Cziko, C. & Hurwitz, L. (2000). Reading for understanding: A guide to improving reading in middle and high school classrooms. New York: Jossey-Bass.

In becoming an educated person one engages through multiple dimensions in building a new identity...

Cognitive

Social

Personal

KnowledgeBuilding

Personal

KnowledgeBuilding

Social

- What role do I play here?- How do I interact, speak, work, plan with others?- What are expected norms of behavior?- Who holds power here, and why?- What can I learn from others?

Personal- Who am I in this work?- How will I be valued?- What do I have to offer?- What meaning is added to my life, and how?- What am I good at? - How can I improve?

Cognitive

- What are the important ideas here?- How are they analyzed and synthesized?- How are problems set and solved?- What tools are used and how?

Knowledge Building- How is this knowledge organized?- How are areas of knowledge related to each other?- What are the key structures and how can they be employed?- What knowledge is valued and why?

Gradual Release of

Responsibility