Authentic Learning is a tranformational teaching strategy. It is using classroom management strategies combined with content delivering structures to create a learning environment in which students work in groups to achieve heightened academic, social, teamwork and student engagement.
Studies have shown that Cooperative Learning, implemented appropriately, achieves an average increase of 26 percentage points academically, as well as efficiently teaching social and teamwork skills. Student engagement, both in their work and in class generally, is greatly increased.
Structures can be grouped according to their purpose - Concept Development, Mastery, Review and Multifunctional Structures,
as well as multi-lesson structures. Check out the Structures page for some common structures you can use today!
What is Authentic Learning?
Cooperative Learning is not
students sitting together at one table and discussing their classwork. It is not a student group working on an assignment where a dominant student takes control, completes the work and the rest of the group sign off on the assignment. (1) These activities are of a collaborative or group work structure and do not have the same benefits as Cooperative Learning.