Chapter 7

Cooperative Learning

• Cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning. When they work in cooperative groups, they make sense of and construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others.

Some of the key components should include, but not limited to:

1. Positive interdependence ( sink or swim together)
2. Face to face, promotive interaction ( helping each other learn)
3. Individual and group accountability ( each has to contribute to the group achieving its goal)
4. interpersonal and small group skills ( communication, trust, leadership, decision making, conflict resolution)
5. Group Processing ( reflect on how well the team is functioning and how to function even better)

I think that these are very important to teach students while they are in school because when they get out in the working world, if they don't know how to interact and work with others, they are going to have a rough time in the real world.

Multimedia

Student created multimedia is a natural environment for cooperative learning
Some examples of multimedia to include in the classroom for cooperative learning are:

• Key pals- Communication with students in other cities, states and countries broadens the perspective of students and challenges them to learn about other cultures, languages, and issues throughout the world.

Some websites for key pals to try:
www.epals.com
www.worldkids.net/clubs/kci

Two technologies in the classroom:
I would like to utilize keypals in the class room possibly during a thematic unit or when teaching about diversity and give the students different places around the country. They give you such shorts amount of time to teach in the classroom now that it would be a really simple way for the kids to just resourcing and ask questions I may not even be able to answer. It is a lot easier than penpals and you probably get quicker responses too so the students can communicate more.
The second technology I would use are the blogs. I think it is a great way to store notes for the students or post new assignments and activities especially when programs such as blackboard are not provided for the school.