Cooperative Learning
A Cisco College Writing Resource
Presentation
by Debra Herrera
Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning,
also called
collaborative learning,
occurs whenever
students interact in
pairs or groups to
share knowledge,
complete
assignments, and
accomplish goals.
Cooperative Learning
Teachers

specify the objectives for
the lesson
 explain the task
 monitor students’ learning
& intervene to provide
assistance
 assess student learning
 help students evaluate
group performance
Cooperative Learning
Cooperative learning
is NOT:
 having students sit side
by side as they do their
work
 having students who
finish first help slower
students
 one student completing
the work and others
putting their name on it
Cooperative Learning
Fosters:
 positive
interdependence
 group & individual
accountability
 social skills
 critical thinking and
perspective taking
Cooperative Learning







Jigsaw
Think-Pair-Share
Brainstorming
Three-Minute Review
Numbered Heads
Together
Circle the Sage
Partner Share
Cooperative Learning--Jigsaw

Groups of five students
are assigned new
material to learn and then
teach to his group
members. Students
across the class working
on the same sub-section
work together to learn.
Afterwards, students in
the “expert” groups return
to the original group to
teach each other.
Cooperative Learning—Think-PairShare

Individuals think
silently about a
question posed.
Partners share
thoughts, and then
share with other pairs,
or the class.
Cooperative Learning-Brainstorming

Class is divided into
small groups, with
one person appointed
as the recorder. A
question is posed.
After think time,
members share
responses as
recorder writes them
down.
Cooperative Learning—Three
Minute Review

During discussion,
teacher stops and
gives teams 3
minutes to review
what has been said,
ask questions, or
answer questions.
Cooperative Learning—Numbered
Heads Together

Teams are
established, and each
member is given a
number. Teams work
together to answer a
question. Teacher
calls out a number
(three) and each
three is asked to give
the answer.
Cooperative Learning—Circle the
Sage

Teacher polls the class to
find out which students
thoroughly understood
the new learning. These
students (sages) spread
out in the room and
explain the concepts to 2
or 3 students, who then
return to their group and
compare notes.
References

Johnson, D.W., &
Johnson, R. (1989).
Cooperation and
competition: Theory
and research. Edina,
MN: Interaction Book
Company.

Spencer Kagan
Material taken from
the work of: