By Indeed Editorial Team
Updated March 8, 2022 | Published June 22, 2021
Updated March 8, 2022
Published June 22, 2021
Cooperative learning, also called small-group learning, is one teaching method that can help students learn academic material and social skills. Understanding more about cooperative learning can help you create a positive social experience in your classroom. In this article, we examine some common cooperative learning strategies, discuss the benefits of using these strategies and provide tips to help you use cooperative learning in your classroom.
What are cooperative learning strategies?
Cooperative learning happens when students work in small groups to achieve a common goal. Educators are able to use this method in every grade. Through open discussions, students are able to learn from each other.
There are five essential components of cooperative learning:
Positive interdependence: When teachers create an environment of interdependence, students feel responsible for their own work and the group's success.
Face-to-face interaction: In cooperative learning, students engage in discussions, make eye contact with each other and provide support.
Individual and group accountability: In a group activity, each student has an individual role or assignment. This can help the group reach its goal.
Group behaviors: Students can learn behavioral techniques like interpersonal skills, social interaction and collaborative skills that teach them how to work with others.
Group processing: Toward the end of a project or assignment, students can assess the effectiveness of their group by analyzing how well its members were able to collaborate.
Related: Collaborative Activities and Strategies To Improve Learning In-Person and Online
Benefits of cooperative learning strategies
There are several important benefits of using cooperative learning strategies in the classroom. Here are a few outcomes that students might experience:
Higher achievement: Cooperative learning can lead to higher achievement for students and groups. With various levels of competency and individual strengths, students can teach each other new things and help each other excel.
Stronger relationships: Small groups can help students build positive relationships with one another. Working to achieve a common goal can help them learn to both contribute and depend on others.
More authentic experience: Students might collaborate in groups later when they begin their careers. Cooperative learning can help them practice skills like communicating and defending ideas, resolving conflicts or disagreeing politely.
Increased motivation: Cooperative learning can increase motivation in students. Understanding their role in a group and others' dependence on them might encourage them to perform well.
Related: Learn 5 Instructional Strategies for Differentiated Learning
7 types of cooperative learning strategies
The list below includes different strategies for incorporating cooperative learning in the classroom. Depending on the lesson or learning objective, you might choose one strategy or a combination of strategies:
1. Focused lists
List activities can include roundtable discussions where you provide students with a topic and they brainstorm as a group. For example, when beginning a new lesson, you can have students share a word or phrase they think of when they hear the topic. This can help introduce your lesson by seeing what your students might already know about a topic. You can vary this exercise by having students create their own lists beforehand, then discuss them in groups afterward.
2. Short papers
You might have students write for a few minutes on a specific topic. This can help them learn new lessons or subjects. Once they're done, divide them into groups where they can share their notes. Consider providing questions for them to ask each other to help start open discussions. They can practice listening to new opinions by having everyone share their thoughts.
3. Sentence completion
A creative strategy might be to have one student in a group start a sentence on a piece of paper. Then, they pass the paper to another member in the group who finishes the sentence and starts a new one. Have the group do this a few times until they have written one or two paragraphs. The aim could be to teach team collaboration as they build a story using the group’s collective story ideas.
4. Numbered assignments
Rather than working in groups, you could have students complete work independently, but assign them each a number. You can then ask the students a question and select one number to answer.
For example, all the students assigned to number two might answer. After asking each member what their answers are, you might involve others to see if they agree or had different thoughts. Although students complete this work independently, they can still benefit from hearing the ideas of others in the classroom.
5. Collective quizzing
In this activity, each student receives a flashcard with a term and definition, or a concept and information. You can use this strategy to identify what students know about an upcoming lesson, which is helpful when reviewing content.
Pair students up and have them quiz each other on their cards. Encourage them to praise their classmate for correct answers and offer help for incorrect responses. Once each pair finishes, you could have the students switch partners and continue the exercise. This learning strategy can help with knowledge building and students may enjoy this interactive exercise.
6. Jigsaw pieces
One way to improve subject comprehension is the jigsaw method. Each student in a small group is assigned one piece of a larger project to research. All of the research pieces are then put together by the group. You might also consider having each student paraphrase their classmates’ research to strengthen listening skills.
7. Interviewing classmates
Assigning students into groups of three, you might have them interview each other on specific topics. You might ask one student to prepare a few questions, the interviewee student can answer those questions and the third student can be the note taker or reporter. This allows students to practice their listening and comprehension skills.
Related: The Best Methods for Teaching Excellent Communication Skills
5 tips for implementing cooperative learning strategies
Students often benefit from simply taking part in cooperative learning strategies. But the following tips will help you increase the effectiveness of these techniques.
1. Set ground rules to keep them on track
Group learning may encourage students to engage in conversation, but you also want to make sure they stay on topic and task. Some rules you might establish include:
Contribute your own opinions and research
Encourage each other to speak up
Respect each other's contributions
Offer solutions to problems
Give and accept feedback
Related: 8 Qualities of a Good Teacher (and Tips for How To Develop Them)
2. Establish roles for each student
In some cooperative learning strategies, you might assign roles to specific individuals. These could include:
Organizer
Recorder
Timekeeper
Presenter
Checker
Specific roles can help clarify a student's responsibilities within a group and may empower them to take action. Sometimes, in a brainstorming activity, it may be best to keep roles open to ensure equal participation.
3. Establish group goals
Setting clear goals with numeric targets can help guide students through a cooperative activity. For example, in a brainstorming activity, you might suggest that each student contributes five ideas to reach a group goal of 20 ideas. This can help them take individual responsibility, as well as understand the shared goal.
4. Consider assessment
One of the most important things to consider after group learning is assessing how much the students learned. Individual quizzes and surveys can provide insight into comprehension and progression. Besides learning topics, you might also assess students' progress with social skills and how they behave in groups. This can help show how they might apply their interpersonal skills beyond the classroom.
5. Build trust
Trust is important between students in groups, but you also want students to trust your choice to conduct cooperative learning. For example, if a student experiences a learning challenge during group work, it's important to address that issue with them immediately and identify ways to improve their experience. Check to see how they’re feeling before the next group activity to see if there is anything they might need to feel more comfortable. A trusting environment can help students feel safe sharing and ultimately learn more.