1. Cooperative Learning In Schools
Introduction and Learning Objectives
Case Study: The Case of Tom
Introducing Cooperative Learning
Promoting Student Discourse
Cooperative Learning Pedagogy in the Classroom: Teacher’s Role
Effective or Expert Teachers
The Impact of Mandatory Testing On Cooperative Learning
Specific Requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Law
Teachers’ Perceptions of Mandatory Testing
Is Mandated Testing Working?
The Potential to Transform Schools: Using Cooperative Learning Pedagogy
Case Study: Transforming a School: A Principal’s Story
School-Wide Cooperative Learning
Teachers Reported Satisfaction with Cooperative Learning
A Comprehensive School Reform Model
Structure and Content: Overview of the Chapters That Follow
2. Key Components in Establishing Successful Cooperative Groups
Introduction and Learning Objectives
Case Study: An Example of Cooperative Learning in a First Grade Classroom
Practical Activity: Ways of Structuring Positive Interdependence
Practical Activity: Ways of Promoting Interaction
Individual Accountability
Practical Activity: Ways of Ensuring Individual Accountability
Interpersonal and Small Group Skills
Practical Activity: Ways of Ensuring that Children Learn Interpersonal and Small Group Skills
Practical Activity: Ideas for Group Processing
How Long Should Students Work In Cooperative Groups?
Five Key Components for Structuring Cooperative Learning Groups
Bringing It All Together: Understanding the Research
What is Cooperative Learning?
The Role of the Teacher in Establishing Cooperative Learning
3. Teachers’ Discourse to Promote Student Thinking and Learning
Introduction and Learning Objectives
Case Study: Teacher’s Dialogue with a Small Group of Students
Teachers’ Discourse During Whole-Class, Small Group, and Cooperative Learning
Whole-class Versus Cooperative Learning
Small-Group Versus Cooperative Learning
Communications Skills and Cooperative Learning
Types of Mediated Learning
Pedagogical Practices That Promote Thinking
Case Study: An Exchange between a Teacher and One of the Small Groups in her Fifth Grade Class
Case Study: A Discussion among Students in a Small Group
Case Study: An Exchange between an Eleventh Grade Teacher and a Small Group of Students
Case Study: A Group Discussion among Eleventh Grade Students
Other Ways of Challenging Students’ Thinking and Facilitating Interactions
Creating the Learning Environment
Practical Activity: Ways of Creating a Cooperative Learning Environment
Bringing It All Together: Understanding the Research
4. Strategies to Promote Student Discourse
Introduction and Learning Objectives
Strategies for Helping Students to Dialogue Together
Case Study: An Example of the Four Reciprocal Teaching Strategies
Practical Activity: Ways of Teaching Reciprocal Teaching Strategies to Students
Practical Activity: Ideas for Establishing Audience Roles
Collaborative Strategic Reading
Practical Activity: Ways of Introducing CSR to Students to Enhance their Understanding of Text
Guided Reciprocal Peer Questioning
Ask To Think-Tel Why Strategy
Case Study: Example of Fifth Grade Students Dialoguing Together Using the Ask to Think-Tel Why Questioning Strategies
Self-Regulated Strategy Development
Bringing It All Together: Understanding the Research
5. Group Composition
Introduction and Learning Objectives
Harnessing the Power of the Group: Productive Small Groups
Case Study: Students’ Perceptions of Mixed-Ability Groupings in Their Classroom
Catering For Students with Diverse Needs
Practical Activity: Ideas for Establishing Mixed-Ability Groups
Teachers’ Perspectives on Grouping Students
Practical Activity: Ideas for Establishing Friendship Groups
Case Study: Enhancing Mandy’s Low-Status in her Group
Surveying Students’ Interests
Computer Technology Groupings
Case Study: Preparing a Power Point Presentation on Nicotine
Practical Activity: Ideas for Establishing Computer Groupings
Bringing It All Together: Understanding the Research
6. Assessing Small Group Learning
Introduction and Learning Objectives
Case Study: Teachers’ Reports on How They Assess Small Group Learning
Curriculum-Based Assessments
Computer-Supported Peer Assessment
Practical Activity: Conducting Formative Assessments of Small Group Learning
Criterion-Referenced Assessments
Using Authentic Assessments in Different Contexts
Exhibitions of Performance
Problem-Based Learning Using Formative and Summative Assessments
Key Points on Summative Assessments and their Purposes
Practical Activity: Conducting Summative Assessments of Small Group Learning
Bringing It All Together: Understanding the Research
7. Teachers’ Responsibilities in Establishing Cooperative Learning in their Classrooms
Introduction and Learning Objectives
Case Study: A High School Teacher’s Experience with Cooperative Learning
Creating a Cooperative Learning Environment
Student-Centered Learning
Negotiate Expectations for Small Group Behaviors
Developing Communication Skills for Group Discussion
Specific Metacognitive Skills That Promote Discourse
The Teacher’s Role In Promoting Mediated-Learning
Developing Appropriate Helping Behaviors
Choosing Tasks for Small Group Discussions
Monitoring Students’ Progress and Evaluating Outcomes
Case Study: Developing Criteria for Assessing Group Outcomes in Sixth Grade
8. Future Developments in Using Small Groups
Introduction and Learning Objectives
Comprehensive School Reform (CSR)
Case Study: Two Middle School Teachers’ Experiences with a Comprehensive School Reform Program
The Implications of CSR Programs for Democratic and Learner-Centered Teaching Practices
Student Participation in Negotiating Opportunities for Learning
Practical Activity: Helping Schools Establish Positive Learning Environments
The Impact of Computer Technology on Small Group Learning
The Implications for Designing Classrooms of the Future
The Importance of Teamwork and Communication
Glossary
References
Index
About the Author
