Why Use Cooperative Learning Strategies?
"When we turn the chairs in our classrooms and have students work together on a regular basis, we radically transform classroom dynamics. Students who otherwise would not be motivated become engaged. Students have the opportunity to do what most students want to do-interact in positive ways with their peers." (Kagan & Kagan, 2009)
To put it simply, students benefit from opportunities to converse, reason, share ideas, and collaborate with their peers. Listening passively to a lecture may work for some students, but other learners require opportunities to speak, listen, question, and converse in order to engage with subject matter. The strategies on this site are just a few ways that educators can facilitate students taking active roles in their learning experiences.
Organizing these activities takes planning and foresight on the part of teachers, but the rewards are substantial. Creating a classroom environment where every student is encouraged to actively, think, share, and collaborate increases student engagement and learning. It also promotes positive social interaction, and makes learning fun.
To put it simply, students benefit from opportunities to converse, reason, share ideas, and collaborate with their peers. Listening passively to a lecture may work for some students, but other learners require opportunities to speak, listen, question, and converse in order to engage with subject matter. The strategies on this site are just a few ways that educators can facilitate students taking active roles in their learning experiences.
Organizing these activities takes planning and foresight on the part of teachers, but the rewards are substantial. Creating a classroom environment where every student is encouraged to actively, think, share, and collaborate increases student engagement and learning. It also promotes positive social interaction, and makes learning fun.