Meaning and Definition of Cooperative Learning:

Cooperative learning is a teaching method.

Teacher arranges the students of different level of ability and learning into groups.

Cooperative learning focuses on group success rather than individual success.

Cooperative learning is an activity which helps students to work in groups.

It enables them to learn and teach group members.

The success of each member depends on the group’s success.

Types of Cooperative Learning: Cooperative learning divides into 3 parts:

1. Formal Learning
The formal group assigns tasks and projects. Also, they stay together until the
assignment completes. The group has a clear structure. Besides, the teacher selects the
groups. Depending on the assignments, the group can be heterogeneous and
homogeneous. Likewise, three to five-person groups is believed to be most
productive.

2. Informal Learning
These are just the opposite of formal learning. Also, they are not structured very well.
Typically they involve activities that take few minutes. In addition, they usually have
two to three members. They are suitably used for rapid activities like check for
understanding, quick problem solving or review, etc.

3. Cooperative Learning
They are usually long term support group. Also, their minimum duration is a semester
but they can last for years. Due to their duration, they generally become friends or
acquaintances. The members support and cooperate with each other outside the group.

Characteristics of cooperative learning:

> Positive interdependence
> Individual and group accountability
> Promotive interaction (face to face)
> Teaching the students the required interpersonal and small group skills
> Group processing.

Advantages of cooperative Disadvantages of cooperative

learning: learning:

1.Able to work with their peers 1.Takes a lot of planning and

preparation
2.Hands on activities
2.Too noisy
3.Comfortable in small groups
3.Similar to playing
4.Don’t realize they are learning.
4.Grouping students
5.Allows teachers to pull
individual students or small groups 5.Work not completed