Cooperative learning : an introduction to a secondary school
Creators: name: Yaxley, Corowa
Publisher: name: University Of Tasmania
Year: 2023

description: This dissertation is a record of a secondary school teacher's journey in professional study and practice. It explores the case for moving towards cooperative learning as the dominant pedagogy. While providing support for the change from the technical, competitive paradigm to this social model of classroom interaction, the study takes account of critical commentary. The journey began as a quest for an inclusive model of classroom interaction, one which would facilitate the teaching and learning of students in heterogeneous class groups. As cooperative learning appeared to offer the most promise, it was investigated, using a list of questions among which were: What is 'cooperative learning'? What are its outcomes? Why are they 'superior'? What do its critics say? Conducted in the light of practice, this study explains what is meant by the term 'cooperative learning'. As well as the presentation of the outcomes claimed for the model, there is detailed supporting evidence. This takes the form of explanations of the cognitive and social theories underpinning its principles. The views of critics of the approach, together with responses to the concerns they express, are included. Study revealed that cooperative learning requires a different culture from that created by either the competitive or the individualistic patterns of interaction. Hence, an important part of the experience was the gathering of and the reflection on information for leading teachers and students in the construction of a collaborative environment supportive of the model. This comprises a vital and extensive section of the record. Following introduction to various schools of cooperative learning, specially designed delivery structures are presented. These are patterns of interaction, principally created for small groups, developed to use cognitive and social theories to advantage in student learning. A range of structures which may be used to facilitate learning across the disciplines is described. Through their detailed examination, it becomes clear that cooperative learning is a highly sophisticated model of teaching and learning, one demanding much knowledge, skill, practice, reflection and collegial support. All of these, it is said, may take experienced teachers several years to develop. Cooperative learning is shown to be quite different from traditional 'group work'. This record concludes with the story of the application of the learning on the cooperative approach in an actual classroom. This is expanded to tell of the beginning of its transfer to the whole school. The work in and through cooperative learning was such that colleagues, not initially interested in the philosophy, attended workshops where they were introduced to its ethos and experienced examples of its delivery structures. The final paragraph tells of strategies leading to the decision by all teachers at Reece High School to participate in a spaced, year-long professional development program designed to promote cooperative learning as the leading methodology. Very much work in progress, the journey continues.