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.

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

Introduction

DEFINING COOPEATIVE

LEARNING

Cooperative or Collaborative Learning

Is learning by small groups of students who work together in a common learning task.

It is also called Group Learning.

5 Elements are needed to be truly cooperative learning

A common goalInterdependenceInteractionIndividual accountabilitySocial skills

Advantages of Cooperative Learning

Encourages active learning, while motivating students.

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.

Disadvantages of Cooperative Learning

• Students in the group are having conversations that has nothing to do with the lesson.

• Students becoming impatient with others in the group ceasing to work cooperatively.

• One bright students doing the most of the work.

Cooperative learning and the computer

Based on a study conducted, researchers agree that the computer is a natural learning vehicle for cooperative (at times called promotive) learning.

Cooperative learning and the computer

Thus, it shows that when students work with computers in groups, they cluster and interact with each other for advice and mutual help.

Cooperative learning and the computer

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.

Cooperative learning and the computer

Reflecting on this, psychologists think the computer fosters this positive social behavior because it has a display monitor – where they look something in common.

Components of cooperative learning

• Educators are still wary about the computer’s role in cooperative learning. Thus they pose the position that the use of computers do not automatically result in cooperative learning.

Components of 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

Components of cooperative learning

-Teaching cooperative social skills

-Insuring individual accountability, and

-Helping groups process information

Components of cooperative learning

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.

Components of cooperative learning

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.

END!