5 ELEMENTS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING

5 Elements of Cooperative Learning:Brown & Ciuffetelli Parker (2009) discuss the 5 basic and essential elements to cooperative learning:

1. Positive Interdependence

• Students must fully participate and put forth effort within their group

• Each group member has a task/role/responsibility therefore must believe that they are responsible for their learning and that of their group

2. Face-to-Face Promotive Interaction

• Member promote each others success

• Students explain to one another what they have or are learning and assist one another with understanding and completion of assignments

3. Individual Accountability

• Each student must demonstrate master of the content being studied

• Each student is accountable for their learning and work, therefore eliminating “social loafing”

4. Social Skills

• Social skills that must be taught in order for successful cooperative learning to occur

• Skills include effective communication, interpersonal and group skills

5. Group Processing

• Every so often groups must assess their effectiveness and decide how it can be improved

If the class applies this method, the class will have an independent group. Each student has a responsibility to give their opinion about the topic. No one in the group is just silent. All of students will have a good understanding about the material. It also can improve the student’s ability. The teacher has to ensure that the teaching method is appropriate with their material.