Assignment 3A- Cooperative Learning

Cooperative Learning

          One of the main characteristics of cooperative learning when planning any lesson is grouping. Teachers need to carefully select grouping arrangements for students according to their learning profile. Planning instruction based on the students’ needs is definitely a big task and many factors need to be considered. For example: what purpose will the grouping serve, how many members per group, consider the physical arrangements of the groups, as well as the academic and social abilities of the students involved. Cooperative learning gives room to differentiate instruction by “Teaching up” which refers to the planning process to follow: “It means aiming high and then building scaffolding that helps all students reach those heights, including the students who may not have seen themselves as capable of making the climb.”  (Tomlinson, Imbeau, 2014, p. 3). Collaborative learning can give low performing students the self-esteem boost they need to succeed, and high performing students the opportunity to increase their social skills, and personal relations.

Homogeneous vs. Heterogeneous Grouping

          Homogeneous grouping refers to the idea of organizing students by similar ability levels, similar interests, or matching learning styles. On the other hand, heterogeneous grouping refers to the mixing of students of various levels to be part of a group. In order for teachers to decide which type of grouping to use, they have to consider the goal of the lesson, and the students’ ability to work within a group. Students tend to form homogeneous groups when socializing. They usually choose friends they can relate to or have something in common with such as ethnicity. Heterogeneous grouping breaks the comfort pattern of students and encourages them to work with others. This method takes into consideration the different abilities encountered in every classroom. Every general education classroom comprises a range of students with various abilities. Some of these students might have learning disabilities and require specific accommodations and/or adaptations in order for them to be successful in a general education environment. Heterogeneous grouping works best for this type of arrangements where students of various abilities are part of the group. Students with learning disabilities will most likely benefit from being part of a heterogeneous group because it will give them the opportunity to learn from others who are high performers as well as socialize with the same level peers.  Homogeneous grouping could be used in a gifted classroom where students possess similar abilities, and crave the challenge. Homogeneous grouping could also be used in a general education classroom when it comes to re-teaching, helping students who are struggling with specific areas, as well as providing enrichment activities to students who are ready to advance.

Group Configurations in the Classroom

          As a teacher, I would have my students organized in heterogeneous groups for the most part. “The more opportunities students have to interact with others who are different from themselves, the better” (Carter, Prater, Dyches, 2009, p. 79).  This will provide students the opportunity to learn from more competent peers as well as slowly move up to their level by scaffolding. Students would be placed in groups of four, and each would have a specific role when working together. For example, one would be the inquirer or the one who asks questions, another would be the recorder to take notes, the facilitator leads the group and provides direction, the presenter will present the information gathered by all group members. I will also use peer pairs as a way to think-pair-and-share information that we have previously read as a class. Providing students individualized learning is important as well for them to analyze the information received and come up with questions that need clarification. I will organize students in small groups for group projects that need to be completed in the classroom and presented to the class.

          Another way of organizing students is by considering their types of intelligence according to Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligence. Students who have a verbal-linguistic intelligence are very fluent and strong with words and would work best with others who have the same ability. Students who possess interpersonal intelligence, like myself, are great at working with people and have the ability to be sensitive to the needs of others.  Students with visual-spatial intelligence will require visual aids while reading new information. Cooperative learning gives students the opportunity to get in touch with their intelligence, as well as learn to accept the learning modalities of others.

6^th Grade- English Language Arts- Reading: Literature Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

          Taking into consideration the listed standards, I would use flexible groupings within the classroom in order to provide the most effective way of teaching any lesson. One example of grouping students would be by organizing them in heterogeneous groups. They will be assigned an article about different people who have experienced resiliency in their lives, such as Steve Jobs. Students will have to read the article within their pod, determine the central message, summarize what was read, communicate with each other and listen to opinions, judge the article, make inferences, and defend their position with evidence from the text.

          There are many grouping patterns that could be used to reinforce grade level content standards in writing. The best way to choose is by looking closely at the group of students, observing, and assessing their ways of learning and get to know their strengths and weaknesses. Being flexible while grouping is important due to the fact that not every single grouping arrangement will be perfect, there are going to be times when changes and adjustments need to be made.

Cooperative Learning Defense

          Cooperative learning gives students the opportunity to actively participate in their own learning, and the opportunity to socialize with others. There are definitely academic benefits when it comes to cooperative learning as well as social benefits that do increase the students’ performance.  Working with others as a group gives students a chance to break down the task at hand, tackle it one step at a time, brainstorm, ask questions, and discover through observation and communication. “Students develop and use interpersonal skills as they communicate, build effective working relationships, lead one another, manage conflict, and solve problems” (Carter, Prater, Dyches, 2009, p. 76). Students with learning disabilities who lack the academic skills to work independently and successfully can receive assistance from others and the support necessary to enable learning from high performing peers. Accommodations, adaptations, and modifications might be necessary to be in place in order for these students to succeed in the general education setting. Overall, Cooperative Learning is a great way to facilitate learning in the classroom and successfully enhance academic learning in many areas of the curriculum.

References

Adapting Instruction to Multiple Intelligences | Scholastic.com. (n.d.). Retrieved May 19, 2016, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/adapting-instruction-multiple-intelligences

Carter, N., Prater, M. A., & Dyches, T. T. (2009). What every teacher should know about making accommodations and adaptations for students with mild to moderate disabilities. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Tomlinson, C. A., & Imbeau, M. B. (2014). A differentiated approach to the Common Core: How do I help a broad range of learners succeed with challenging curriculum? Alexandria, VA: ASCD.