Reflection #5

REFLECTION #5

The Cooperative/Collaborative learning method is one that involves 2 or more students working together. I found this to be a very effective tool to utilize for an interpersonal way to get the lesson learned. In this day and age when students are very detached in their personal endeavors where they hide behind a computer screen and play video games, endlessly by themselves, group learning is very appealing. Cooperative learning can actually be achieved from different parts of the world or in a classroom, including a diverse group of different levels and gender and skills. The student is individually responsible for his/her contributions but they work as a group.

The students are able to share their particular strengths with each other and learn the other’s strengths and develop their own skills, including interpersonal skills as mentioned earlier. I learned that in these small groups, the learning must have a clear objective/objectives and every member is encouraged to participate, & is respected and given equal time to demonstrate their special skills, knowledge and contributions. This method of teaching is similar to the Constructivists method where there is great emphasis placed on the students personal experiences & past knowledge. Studies have shown that in a group learning environment, the student is often challenged and diversity is celebrated and this, in turn, helps the students with their self esteem. The goals are clearly identified by the teacher so the students have something to build on and the teacher is the learner once the goals are specified. A favorable aspect to cooperative learning is that students work together instead compete with each other, but I seem to think that a little competition is good, so interchanging this method with others is a healthy and diverse way to

teach. In the past 20 years this concept of small groups have taken off and is being employed ever more so. There has been considerable debate whether grouping students with similar abilities hinders the stronger students. Critics

seem to feel that the gifted students are held back and are baby sitters and in a group setting, some feel that the groups and/or the group leaders do all the work and the teacher gets off easy by not having to do as much. There is

also the debate whether Collaborative teaching heightens inequities of achievements for females & minorities etc. These finding have not been found to be rooted in facts but it is something to consider and debate. The pros, as mentiond earlier are the likelihood of diversity and the celebration of cultural differences. Regardless of the debates the advantages are many and it is a teaching technique that will continue to gain in popularity. And as long as any conflicts are resolved early on and rubrics are clearly defind and designed, excellence in results are to be expected.

EME2040-Introduction to Educational Technology

Prof. Joseph D. McNair

Ernie Joya-D51-07-9182 Ernie Joya