Module 1 Activity 7: Cooperative Learning

It is evident that cooperative learning is proven to be beneficial to the entire teaching/learning process. It is a method of teaching and learning in which learners form groups or teams for structured activities to achieve a common goal. The learners are individually accountable for their work and the work of the entire group. However, it must be understood that merely putting the learners into groups and allowing them to work together is not enough to constitute cooperative learning.

There must be an atmosphere created where team members are obliged to rely on one another to achieve their goal, all students in group are held accountable for doing their share of work, group assignments are constructed so that the work cannot be simply parcelled out and done individually but instead include work that has to be done interactively,  students are encouraged and helped to develop and practice trust building, leardership, decision-making, communication and conflict management, team members set up group goals, periodically assess what they are doing well as a team, and identify changes they will make to function more effectively in the future, and individuals benefit the most from working with people different from themselves.

With the advances in technology and changes in the workforce infrastructure, the teamwork and cooperation learned through Cooperative Learning activities are of high value for the future success of all learners.