1. In elementary school i remember a cooperative learning activity we had, when we had to build a volcano in groups, ans then present it with information about the volcano to the class. We all had a specific idea that we were in charge of. It was important that we trusted each other in our group to get the work done and it was alos important that we did out part as we were graded as a group. In college, this semester, in our management class we were to read a book as a group and were assigned specific sections of the book to create a presentation for the class. We are presenting next week, but are all resposible for our part to contribute to the group.
2.I do think cooperative learning promotes learning to a degree. Sometimes when put into groups we only learn the items that we are in charge of presenting or whatever it is that we have to do with the information. but, on the other hand we have group members to lean on if we do not understand a concept. I think cooperative learning in the earlier grades helps alot, in the higher grades and college, i think it helps as far as getting more done in a small time and lightening the work load on an individual, but i do not think it helps learn the concepts more in the higher grades.
3.Instructional conversations: Assumes that teaching involves conversation- that students have something to say and that is invalid.
Reciprocal questioning: a method of reinforcing new concepts, information, or procedures that students have learned in class.
The differences are that instructional conversations have students converse about the text instead of questions and reciprocal questioning is using how and why questions. Both have the same goal in mind is to understand the material, one has conversation and the other questions.
4. Ability-grouping is best in reading groups, where students have the same ability and capabilities. Mixed-groups would be beneficial in group projects. Students with different abilities can all contribute in this setting. Not all the students have to be good at reading or math.
Week 14
14 years ago
I think that cooperative learning can be beneficial in higher grades if it is treated like cooperative learning. If all involved in a project really worked on it together it would be more beneficial. But, like you said, we use it as a way of getting more done in less time.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you pointed out the use of cooperative learning in college as a means of efficiency; I don't think I consciously thought of it as that, but it's true! I think group work is great for all levels :)
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