Cooperative+Learning

=**Read and Reflect**=

How do you currently apply this strategy without the use of technology?

//When I use copperative learning in my classroom, it is for projects that are collaborative in nature....such as reporting on different types of environmental problems, land forms such as volcanoes, or specific destructive weather systems which impact man such as tornadoes or hurricanes. I choose topics that students have some prior, background knowledge in, so they are somewhat familiar with it, but not so much so, that they won't delve deeper into the topic. I don't want just "surface" information. I want them to grow and become more of an expert on the topic.

The class is usually divided into groups of four, for I feel that is pretty equitable, load sharing number. With three people, one person invariably is left out or else shoulders the load for the other two. Two people is too small a group, while five or more, is too large.

Besides giving class time to work on the project together, students are also expected to work outside of the classroom to gather materials. Use of our portable computer carts is limited, so much of the research will have to be done on their own time. All are expected to carry their own weight and kids will be forthcoming if someone isn't doing their share. They don't want to earn a low grade because someone isn't participating. If that person still isn''t working, then that is the time I will speak with them. Very few students want to be pulled off a team to do a whole project by themself. If it does happen that way, then the other three will earn extra credit for picking up the slack.//

What new insight did you gain from the reading?

//I didn't realize that I need to spend more time developing organizational tools for them to use while working on the project. I guess I really never thought about how helpful that would be for them. I realize using RubiStar would be a wonderful tool to use in my planning and would give more direction for the students as to how the project would be graded.

I also think it would be helpful for students to grade each other within their group, as well as presentations by other groups.//

=Apply and reflect=

Provide evidence of the tool you learned.

The information was just sent to you at approximately, 3:16 on June 22, 2010.

How might you use this tool in your classroom?

//**WOW! How neat is this to use!** It was reasy to navigate and most students would love it! I know as a teacher, I do already, and haven't used it with my classes yet! The possibilities seem endless! I KNOW I will use this tool in my classroom next year. What a great way for kids to work together on projects without having to leave their homes! I can imagine their parents would be greatful, too, since they wouldn't have to drive them around town to meet with other students working on the same project. It would also be helpful since no one person would be repsonsible for working on a project since I could easily see who was doing the work and who wasn't. It also would save a lot of paper! I think there will be many more cooperative-based activities from now on in my classroon! :)//