Cooperative Learning with the Computer
Singapore has set the global pace for student learning with a 2:1(2 pupils with 1 computer) ratio in its master plan for IT in education. This show that even in other progressive countries, the1:1 pupil-computer ratio is still an ideal to be achieved. Reality therefore dictates that school faces the fact that each classroom, especially in public or government schools, may not be equipped with the appropriate numbers of computer.
The creativity of the teacher will have to respond to the situation, and so cooperative learning will likely be the answer to the implementation of IT supported learning in our schools. But the situation may not be that bad since there are motivational and social benefits to cooperative learning and these can compensate for the lack of hardware that educators face.
Defining Cooperative Learning
Cooperative or collaborative learning is learning by small groups of students who work together in common learning task. It is often also called grouped learning but to be truly cooperative learning 5 elements are needed:
1. A common goal
2. interdependence
3. interaction
4. individual accountability
5. social skills
Therefore not every group work is cooperative learning since students working on their work sheets physically sat around a table may be working together without these features of cooperative learning.
From several studies made on cooperative learning, it is manifested that cooperative learning in its true sense is advantageous since it:
(a) encourages active learning, while motivating students
(b) increases academic performance
(c) promotes literacy and languages skills
(d) Improve teacher effectiveness.
In addition, there are studies which show that cooperative learning enhances personal and social development among students of all ages, while enhancing self-esteem and improving social relations between racially and culturally different students.
Cooperative Learning and the computer
Researches have made studies on the learning interaction between the student and the computer. The studies have great value since it has been a long standing fear that the computer may foster student learning in isolation that hinders the development of the student’s social skills.
Now this mythical fear has been contradicted by the studies which show that when the students work with computers with groups. They cluster and interact with each other for a vice and mutual help. And given the option to work individually or in group, the students generally wish to work together in computer-based and non-computer-based activities. Reflecting on this phenomenon, psychologists think the computer fosters this positive social behavior due to the fact that it has a display monitor – just like television set – that is look upon something communal.
Therefore researches agree that the computer is a fairly natural learning vehicle for cooperative (at times called promotive) learning.
Components of Cooperative Learning
Educators are still wary about the computer’s role in cooperative learning. Thus they pose the position the position that the use of the computers do not automatically result in cooperative learning. There therefore assign the teacher several tasks in order to ensure collaborative in learning. These are:
- Assigning students to mixed-ability teams
- Establishing positive interdependence
- Teaching cooperative social skills
- Insuring individual accountability, and
- Helping groups process information
These are in addition to assigning a common work goal in which each member of the group will realize that their grouped will not succeed unless everyone contributes to the groups’ success. It is also important for the teacher limits learning group clusters (six is the ideal number in a group) so that there can be closer involvement in thinking and learning.
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