Cooperative Learning is
the Most Effective Method
for Learning Science
Con Position
Cooperative Learning is NOT the
most effective
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Pseudoscience
Brain Research
Experts vs Novices
Other Methods are
Just as Good
Multiple Intelligences
Metacognition
Pitfalls
Notes
Moses Effect
How are cooperative learning groups different
from traditional groups?
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Grouping
Team-building
Interdependence
Teacher monitoring
Leadership
Group reports
Are there instances, when cooperative learning
groups can be useful?
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Cooperative learning can be useful
for elementary students for the
following reasons.
Are cooperative learning groups the best
way to reinforce the development of thinking
skills in science subjects?
 What are the goals of education?
 What should be the role of teachers
in the classroom?
 When we give tests to students, do
we give the test to the group or to
the individual student? Why?
Cooperative Learning-A Definition
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Bursuk and Friend (2006)-Cooperative
learning: positive interdependence, face to
face interactions, individual accountability,
and interpersonal skills.
“Students work together in small groups
toward a common goal”
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Central Queensland University, Australia
Host of Online Collaborative Learning International
Site
Brain Research
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Phillips (2005)
• Students need chunking as well as big
picture
• Making information relevant
How People Learn
Experts vs. Novices
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Experts needed when extensive
breadth of knowledge
• Contextualize
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Experts needed when problem
solving is required
• Metacognition
Pseudoscience!
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Johnson (2008) indicates that starting
with zealous ideas of supremacy followed
by filtered research is a no-no.
Why would we be here if there were a
single best learning strategy?
Science
Perceived reality
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determines
belief
Multiple Intelligences
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What would Howard
Gardner say about this
claim?
“…I am convinced that all
seven of the intelligences
have equal claim to
priority.” “I think of the
intelligences as raw,
biological potentials…”
(1993, p.6)
Cooperative learning alone is
multiple intelligence
deficient.
CL Best? Students don’t think so!
• End of semester
anonymous survey
30
Hands On
25
• “Doing things by our self
and looking at changes
and effects helps me
learn.”
• Conclusion: Differentiate
and/or balance
Cooperative
Learning
Powerpoints
20
15
10
Other/Status
Quo
Field Work
5
0
Student
Want
More
Students
Want
Less
Nicenet
Metacognition, Prior Knowledge, Inquiry (Bransford &
Donovan, 2005)
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The tenets of learning according to How Students
Learn Science in the Classroom
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Group work is not THE approach to supporting
the development of metacognitive skills.
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Group dynamics can yield hazards
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“Some students may dominate the discussion and
the group decisions, while others may participate
little if at all.”
Solution: more individual approaches
Metacognition, Prior Knowledge,
Inquiry
Prior Knowledge
Teacher modeling
Hands-on learning
Lecture
Authentic assessment
Cooperative Learning
Individual work
Discussion
Metacognition
Inquiry
Pitfalls
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Academic outcomes of
cooperative learning for
students with disabilities
vary (as cited in McMaster
& Fuchs, 2002 by Bursuk
and Friend 2006).
CL is hard to implement
properly.
According to Bursuk and
Friend (2006), cooperative
learning: positive
interdependence, face to
face interactions, individual
accountability, and
interpersonal skills.
Pitfalls
Interdependence
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Independence
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Independence according to
Covey (1989): “as we
become independentproactive, centered in
correct principles, value
driven and able to organize
and execute around the
priorities in our life with
integrity…”(p187).
Independence ≠ My
students
Quotes by Dr. Rivas
“The goal is differentiation, the
idea is to reach different types
of learners.” February 21, 2007
“Teachers tend to do what is
easiest or what they are used to
doing.” February 7, 2007
Moses Effect
Research shows that cooperative
learning is great.
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VERY WIDELY USED
Positive results are only found
in research if the cooperative
learning is formal.
Unfortunately, the varieties of
cooperative learning most
widely used are informal and
lack the fundamental
elements that can make
cooperative learning effective.
(Slavin 2003).
Cooperative Learning is NOT the
most effective
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

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Pseudoscience
Brain Research
Experts vs Novices
Other Methods are
Just as Good
Multiple Intelligences
Metacognition
Pitfalls
Notes
Moses Effect
Alternative: Model-Based Inquiry
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How Students Learn: Science in the
Classroom (2005)
• Genetics Unit
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Background: Mendel
Own Pedigree
Understanding of Inheritance Patterns
Conclusion