In both situations greater emphasis is placed on students' responsibility for taking charge of her or his learning. Both involve situations where students must articulate ideas in small groups. Both help students develop social and teambuilding skills. Cooperative and collaborative classrooms have helped to increase student success and information retention. Both utilize student diversity.
Students receive training in small group social skills.
There is the belief that students already have the necessary social skills, and that they will build on their existing skills in order to reach their goals. Activities are structured with each student having a specific role. Students organize and negotiate efforts themselves. The teacher observes, listens and intervenes in a group when necessary The activity is not monitored by the instructor. When questions are directed towards the teacher, the teacher guides the students to the information needed.