Using examples from your readings and your classroom experience, explain how cooperative

learning is a process and what steps teachers must teach to support the success of cooperative
learning.

Cooperative learning is not something that can be used out of the blue; it takes preparation,
decision making and consideration of each students ability. The three recommended step include
elements of positive interdependence and individual accountability. This involves preparing the
class with team building skills and make each role clear! Next, it is important to remember that
the group size should remain small, under five students. In the classroom, I o not plan my
collaborative team time with a large number of students because they may feel social pressure
and will not input their ideas Lastly, it is vital that for cooperative learning to be a successful
process, it must be used consistently and systematically. This is the step that I enjoy because I
have to think about my students and their abilities. I have begun math centres once a week. I
have created formal groups that meet, discuss instructions and work together to complete the
challenge. I then take the time to sit with each student and go over how their role is affecting the
teams objective. Students are becoming comfortable with this environment and I love hearing
collaborative math language. They take turns discussing their job and I experienced their start to
deeper understanding.