Enhancing Cooperative Learning Through Effective Group Dynamics

Cooperative Base Groups: The primary purpose is to give members the support, help, encouragement, and assistance so that each can progress successfully.

The success of cooperation in the classroom is crucially dependent on the nature and organization of group work. Thanks to the well-designed program in which the elements of CLL are implemented carefully, the students have the chance to interact with each other, and they are motivated to increase each other’s learning.

So when we look at a successful group based learning in cooperative learning, we will see:

• Positive Interdependence
• Group Formation
• Individual Accountability
• Social Skills
• Structuring and Structures

Positive Interdependence happens when group members realize that their success is linked with each other. If everybody is okay in the group, the group will be successful.

Group Formation is an important factor in creating positive interdependence.

In group formation:

• Size of the group
• Assigning students to groups
• Students' roles in the group

Individual Accountability exists when the performance of each individual is assessed, and the results are given back to the group and the individual in order to determine who needs more assistance, support, and encouragement in learning.

Social Skills determine the way students interact with each other as teammates.

Structuring and Structures refer to ways of organizing students' interaction. The teachers can enable students to have different interaction ways in the group.

Learners' Role

Learning to work cooperatively

Directing their own learning (compilation of lifelong learning)

PLAN-MONITOR-EVALUATE

In pair working, learners’ roles alternate as:

• Tutors
• Checkers
• Recorders
• Information Sharers

Teachers' Roles

• Setting goals
• Planning and structuring tasks
• Establishing the physical arrangement of the classroom
• Assigning the students to pairs

As a Facilitator:

• Interacts
• Teaches
• Refocuses
• Questions
• Clarifies
• Supports
• Expands
• Celebrates
• Empathizes

Depending on the Problem Evolving:

• Gives feedback
• Redirects the group
• Encourages the group to solve their own problems
• Extends activity
• Encourages thinking
• Manages conflict
• Observes students
• Supplies resources