Cooperative Learning
On-Line
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Cooperative Learning
Students working in “cooperative learning
groups” learn more, understand more and
remember more material. They feel better
about themselves, the class and
classmates.
David Johnson and others in
Cooperative Learning: Increasing College Faculty Instructional Productivity
Getting students involved in their
education experience requires:


faculty-student interaction and
student-student interaction.
Alexander Astin (What Matters in College, 1993)
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Require Student
Involvement
Discussions

Appoint student facilitators of discussion
Debates

Teams Debate a controversial issue
Projects

Teams work cooperatively together on
projects
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Make it Safe
Establish Ground Rules
Discussion Etiquette
Provide Feedback – individually and
publicly
Establish a place for anonymous
feedback
 2003 JoAnn Warren
On-Line Discussions
Questions and/or Statements - open
ended requiring reflection, application,
or interpretation (controversial topics)
Require and publish minimum
standards
Encourage with follow-up questions or
play the devil’s advocate
Assign a student-facilitator
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Sample Responses
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Sample Requirements
Class Participation
Facilitating Discussion
Actively facilitates one
thread
Solicits comments, poses
additional questions,
plays the “devil’s
advocate”
Adds relevant information
from research and/or text
readings
Summarizes one thread
noting similarities and
discrepancies in postings
Participating
Posts on average, more
than two messages for
each discussion.
Messages demonstrate
critical analysis of
question or topic.
Messages contain original
idea or thought.
Messages build on other
messages, elaborating on
discussion
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Debates
Controversial Issue Pro-Con
Provide context, reading materials and/or
additional resources (web quests)
Self-Selection – Affirmative or Negative

Take opposite of their personal beliefs
Set up Private “Forums” for team
deliberations
Three Rounds – Opening statement, Rebuttal
and Conclusion (4-5 weeks)
 2003 JoAnn Warren
An Example
Post Due Dates for Rounds
Create “Forum” for the Debate
Require participation in discussion
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Team Projects
Cases, Experiments, Research Topics
Options for Presentation of Findings
Self-Selection
Create Private Forums
Allow Adequate Time for deliberations,
drafts and finalization of
Report/Presentation
 2003 JoAnn Warren
An Example
Post Due Dates
Create “Forum” for Final Presentation
Require students to review and comment
on presentation
 2003 JoAnn Warren
The Mechanics
Team Selection



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Add “New” Topic
“Compose” Message
for each side of the
debate or each
project
Require students to
self-select a position
by replying to posting
Form Teams based
on interest
Private Forums for
Team Deliberations
 Add “New” Topic
 Select “Private”
 Manage Members
 Post an introductory
comment
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Posting Chat Logs
Manage Files

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
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Chat Logs by room
Download
Save as html
Upload
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Mixed Results
Class was more work than expected
Teamwork was challenging (schedules)
Enhanced computer and writing skills
Better than a TV Course
Apply what I learned
Greater participation than f2f – time to
reflect before posting
 2003 JoAnn Warren
Warm Fuzzy
This has been one of the best classes I have
ever taken. Joann's dedication, feedback and
encouragement make all the difference. This
was the first web class I've taken and it was
great except that my computer exploded the
first week of class and wasn't fixed forever!
Despite some obstacles this semester with
Joann's patience I was really able to learn a
lot from all of you and this class.
 2003 JoAnn Warren