Group work enhances learning because students share and provide feedback on ideas and, the cooperation and interaction among students enhances attention, motivation and satisfaction. Here we make a distinction that was postulated by Dr. Richard Felder of NC State University. Collaborative learning contains more emphasis on the social group processes, while cooperative learning focuses more on the individual accountability for tasks along with group learning.
Students work in cooperative learning teams to learn academic objectives.
Students are assigned to a four-member team that is mixed in performance level, race, and gender. The teacher presents the material and students work in their groups to make sure team members have mastered the lesson. All students take individual quizzes and are given points based on whether they meet or exceed their earlier performance. This approach is designed to help build a classroom where all students are valued. The groups are based on the principles of interdependence where members bring together their diverse strengths and experiences to reach goals that surpass that of each individual member.