Cooperative Learning

        What can be done in case some members of a group do not show positive interpersonal and communication skills? Can the teacher help in these situation?

     

               Cooperative or collaborative learning is learning by a small group of students who work together in a common learning task. In a cooperative learning, each member of the group must participate in doing the activities given to their group; and they must help each other in doing their task. But sometimes the group activity becomes not a collaborative one because there are times   that the members did not actually work as a group because they divide the task and distribute it among the members of the group and this situation are oftentimes called specialization and these make them work individually. These cannot be called as a collaborative learning since there is no interaction that takes place because each of them are busy doing the task assigned to them.

              The very reason of cooperative learning is to enhance the personal and social development among each members of the group. Through this learning approach, the students will have an active learning while they are being motivated; their academic performance will increase; and this approach also promotes their literacy and language skills, that is why the group members must have a good collaboration with each other to make a very good learning outcome.

              Group work does not only resulted to division of task but also in a group work there are instances that some members of the group do not show positive interaction and communication skills that hinders the essence of the cooperative learning. Because of these, the teacher must assume the responsibility of managing the class. He/she must encourage each and everyone to participate actively during the group activity in order to develop their social skills. It is also very helpful that from time to time, the teacher monitors each group to guide them while they do their activity and to monitor who among them do not participate actively.  To further reinforce the students to become active in doing their task, the teacher may also set a standard or rubrics for rating their group output at the same time, a rubrics for rating their individual performances. Through these each will participate actively during the cooperative learning.