Cooperative Learning in Tertiary Studies:Half the Pain, Double the Gain

Dr. Tan Hui Leng

Group work: Is it “wishful thinking” for cooperative learning?

ice breaker, skills drill, brainstorming, debate, problem-solving…group work… ensure more hands, heads and hearts…bring about cooperative learning…1/2 the pain, 2X the gain

Cooperative Structures

• Timed pair share

• Pairs compare

• Rally robin

• Numbered heads together

• One stray

1/2 the pain, 2X the gain…google: Kagan, Cohen, Slavin, Johnson & Johnson

Cooperative Group Work:

• Positive Interdependence

• Individual Accountability

• Equal Participation

• Simultaneous Interaction

Is my gain your gain? Is help necessary?

Positive Interdependence

There is a need to set up situations where one cannot do it alone

Get members to root for each other

Peer tutoring

In competition: “Someone else’s loss is my gain” = Negative interdependence

Is individual public performance

required?

Individual Accountability

• All 3 characteristics of the performance (individual, public, required) must be in place

• Repeated, this kind of performance triggers improvement

How equal is the participation?

Equal Participation

• Often practice goes to those who least need the practice

• Equal participation allocates practice to those who need it the most

What percent is overtly active at once?

Simultaneous Interaction

• Class Work: 2-3%

• Square Work: 25%

• Pair work: 50%

• Cooperative Learning could boost interaction to 100%

The Magic of 4

Say NO to competition…YES to cooperation

Engage in Cooperative Learning

All the very best: Half the Pain, Double the Gain