Cooperative Learning with the Computer

Reality dictates that school face the fact that each classroom, especially in
public or government schools, may not be equipped with appropriate
number of computers.Introduction
The creativity of the teacher will have to respond to the situation, and so
cooperative learning will likely be the answer to the implementation of IT
It is also called Group Learning.Is learning by small groups of students
who work together in a common learning task.Cooperative or
Collaborative Learning
Social skillsIndividual accountabilityInteractionInterdependenceA
common goal5 Elements are needed to be truly cooperative learning:
Encourages active learning, while motivating students.Advantages of
Cooperative Learning
Increases academic performance.
Promotes literacy and language skills.
Improves teachers effectiveness.
In addition, there are studies which show that cooperative learning
enhances:1. Personal and social development among students.2. Self-
esteem3. Social relations between racially and culturally different
students.
Thus, it shows that when students work with computers in groups, they
cluster and interact with each other for advice and mutual help. Based on
a study conducted, researchers agree that the computer is a natural
learning vehicle for cooperative (at times called promotive) learning.
Reflecting on this, psychologists think the computer fosters this positive
social behaviour because it has a display monitor where they look
something in common. Moreover, given the option to work individually or
in a group, the students generally wish to work together in computer-based
and non-computer-based activities.
Educators are still wary about the computers role in cooperative learning.
Thus they pose the position that the use of computers do not automatically
result in cooperative learning.
There therefore assign the teacher several tasks in order to ensure
collaborative learning. These are: -Assigning students to mixed-ability
teams -Establishing positive interdependence -Teaching cooperative social
skills -Insuring individual accountability, and -Helping groups process
information
These are in addition to assigning a common work goal in which each
member of the group will realize that their group will not succeed unless
everyone contributes to the groups success.
It is also important for the teacher limits learning group clusters (six is the
ideal number in a group) so there can be closer involvement in thinking and
learning.