Cooperative Learning In cooperative learning, students work together to answer a question or solve a problem. They are a part of a team, and they cannot form to a conclusion without the use of all the members of the team. In other words, they are interdependent on each other. | Group Work In group work, one student tends to dominate the activity, and they will be able to come to a conclusion without the use of all the members of the group. |
For this example, I will be using the four spheres of the Earth as my lesson topic.
- Separate students into groups of 4 by counting around the room.
- Each number in the groups (1-4) will become an expert on one topic.
- All of the 1's will get together and learn about the geosphere.
- All of the 2's will get together and learn about the hydrosphere.
- All of the 3's will get together and learn about the biosphere.
- All of the 4's will get together and learn about the atmosphere.
- Throughout this information session, the teacher should be walking around to make sure each student is participating, and each group is gathering ample and accurate information to take back to their groups.
- Once they are experts in their subject, they will get back into their original groups of 1-4 and each student will teach their group mates about their sphere.
- Then, pass out posters and markers for each group, and have them draw the 4 spheres together on their posters, along with the information they learned about each. Each student should use a different color marker to show their individual contributions to the posters. These posters can be graded by participation of each group member as well as detailed and accurate descriptions of each of the spheres.