The Authentic Learning Teacher

Keeping Learning Cooperative

When using a Cooperative Learning structure or developing a Cooperative Learning activity, it is important that you ensure your lesson does not fall to group work. There are a number of checklists available to ensure the learning experience is truly cooperative, the most famous being the PIES checklist developed by the Kagan Institute. (Kagan,2009). Another easily remembered checklist is CALC. Does your lesson have:

 

Co-depedence:            All students sink or swim together. Each student's contribution postively helps the pair or group achieve the goal.

Accountability:            Individual and group accountability. Both the individual and the group are held accountable for their learning every time.

Level participation:     All students have the opportunity to participate to the same level.

Concurrent activity:   As many students as practical are actively engaged at the same time. Most structures afford at least 25% in teams & 50%      

                                                                     engagement in pairs.

 

If the lesson and structure satisfies these parameters, it is a true Cooperative Learning activity.