As far as transferring the material, groups tested better again. They transferred more elements and could solve the hardest components of the problems. He also said that when working in groups, other members might sight an error that individuals might overlook, such as in physics problems and other mathematical problem-solving cases. However, when the participants were shown another video with a similar problem and asked to solve it later, individuals tested better than the groups. Bob Stevens, professor of educational psychology, has also conducted studies of cooperative learning.
Students working in groups can benefit with interaction.
Meyer feels that depending on the task and the individuals in the group, group work can be beneficial. If one person does all of the work, then the rest of the group won't learn anything and it will deter the individual from working with groups again, Stevens said. Also, if group members are working on a problem and one group member tells another the answer without explaining it, there is no learning. However, when one explains the problem and teaches the partner how to solve it, both benefit. The partner learns how to do the problem and the teacher gains a better understanding, Stevens added.