cooperative+learning

>> **Cooperative or collaborative learning is a team process** >> where members support and rely on each other to achieve an agreed-upon goal. The classroom is an excellent place to develop team-building skills you will need later in life. >> **Cooperative/collaborative learning is interactive;** >> as a team member, you: >>> Each member empowers the other to speak and contribute,and to consider their contributions >> **What makes for a good learning team?** >>> An instructor begins by facilitating discussion and suggesting alternativesbut does not impose solutions on the team, especially those having difficulty working together >> *** Diverse skill levels, backgrounds, experience >>>> increasing options for problem solvingexpanding the range of details to consider >> **Process:** >> Refer to the **Group Project Guide** >> >> Teams with problems should be invited or required to meet with the instructor to discuss possible solutions.
 * develop and share a common goal
 * contribute your understanding of the problem:questions; insights and solutions
 * respond to, and work to understand, others' questions, insights and solutions.
 * are accountable to others, and they are accountable to you
 * are dependent on others, and they depend on you
 * Team activities begin with training in, and understanding group processes.
 * Three to five peopleLarger teams have difficulty in keeping everyone involved
 * Teacher-assigned groupsThey function better than self-assigned groups
 * Each individual brings strengths to a group
 * Each member of the group is responsible to not only contribute his/her strengths, but also to help others understand the source of their strengths
 * Any member who is at a disadvantage or not comfortable with the majority should be encouraged and proactively empowered to contribute
 * Learning is positively influenced with a diversity of perspective and experience
 * Commitment of each member to a goal that is defined and understood by the group
 * Confidential peer ratings are a good way to assess who is and who is not contributing
 * Groups have the right to fire a non-cooperative or non-participating member if all remedies have failed.(The person fired then has to find another group to accept him/her)
 * Individuals can quit if they believe they are doing most of the work with little assistance from the others.(This person can often easily find another group to welcome his/her contributions)
 * Shared operating principles and responsibilities, defined and agreed to by each member. These include:
 * 1) Commitment to attend, prepare and be on time for meetings
 * 2) Have discussions and disagreements focus on issues, avoiding personal criticism
 * 3) Take responsibility for a share of the tasks and carry them out on timeYou may need to perform tasks that you have little experience, feel ill-prepared for, or even think others would do better. Accept the challenge, but be comfortable in stating that you may need help, training, a mentor, or have to resign and take on different task.
 * Set up goals, define how often and with what means you will communicate, evaluate progress, make decisions, and resolve conflict
 * Define resources, especially someone who can provide direction, supervision, counsel, and even arbitrate
 * Schedule review of your progress and communicationto discuss what is working and what is not working