Five common models of cooperative learning¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 3 studies (2 review, 1 design), q2 · 0 of 3 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The chapter organizes cooperative learning into a taxonomy of five models: "The Structural Approach (Kagan, 1989), Group Investigation (Sharan & Sharan, 1992), Student Team Investigation (Aronson, Blaney, Stephan, Sikes, & Snapp, 1978; Slavin, 1990), Curriculum Packages (Slavin, Leavey, & Madden, 1986; Slavin et al., 1986), and Learning Together (Johnson, Johnson, & Holubec, 1991, 1992, 1994)." The Structural Approach uses structures as frameworks within which activities are done; Group Investigation incorporates investigation, interaction, interpretation, and intrinsic motivation; Curriculum Packages are subject- and age-specific commercial materials such as CIRC and TAI; Learning Together emphasizes teaching social skills and structuring all five required elements.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Learning Together lessons must incorporate all five elements its developers see as a requirement for a lesson to be considered cooperative.

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• classroom students across subjects and age levels, including language learners

Target Learning Objectives¶

• cooperative inquiry and investigation
• language and content learning through structured group work

Claims¶

• Research in language classes suggested cooperative learning was better than whole-class instruction for language skills and produced more student turns than teacher-centered classes [+W]
• A meta-analysis of 352 studies found achievement was higher for students engaged in cooperative learning than in competitive or individualistic learning [+M]

Related Theories¶

• Cooperative learning as socially structured, mutually accountable group learning
• Taxonomy of cooperative learning varieties and Kagan's content-free structures
• Kagan's structural approach to cooperative learning (KCLS)

Examples¶

• Adopt and adapt parts of several cooperative learning models to fit your teaching style and situation

Key Sources¶

• Kluge, David. (1999). A Brief Introduction to Cooperative Learning. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED437840