Cooperative Learning Discussion by Mary Beth McNulty https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6 How can we use the cooperative learning strategy most effectively in our classrooms? en-us 2017-10-25 12:39:27 UTC 2026-02-02 20:07:41 UTC hello@padlet.com Tricky mmcnulty6 https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/200367857 I've found it difficult to get groups to balance the work load. It seems there's always one kid doing more than the others. ]]> 2017-10-25 12:45:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/200367857 Groupwork does not always translate to cooperative learning! https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/200389029 2017-10-25 13:24:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/200389029 https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/200389160 Limit materials, collect a random group member's work to represent the whole group, assign roles, look for different hand-writing on groupwork, use google docs and require everyone contribute as suggestion to see individual ideas... 

]]> 2017-10-25 13:24:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/200389160 https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/200390510 Are mixed readiness or like readiness groups more productive? 

]]> 2017-10-25 13:27:09 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/200390510 Structures? https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201250566 What structures help groups stay on task more easily?]]> 2017-10-27 15:42:51 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201250566 We used group work for a field trip where we collected data on a stream ecosystem. We did not assign group roles or have any way to hold members accountable. This was very apparent in the discrepancy in the amount of work put in by students. https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269225 2017-10-27 16:26:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269225 Deliberate groups https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269232 I had a great experience with a jigsaw.  I had sections assigned ahead of time to each student so that students who have a harder time reading had an easier section than others.  The students worked really well together since they were fully responsible for teaching each other the information.  It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop!

]]> 2017-10-27 16:26:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269232 Slugs https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269234 I let students choose their own groups to: write scripts/perform skits related to current vocab. They LOVED the creative outlet/interactive nature and watching each other. However because I hadn't given any real guidelines (plus a good dose of human nature) many groups had the most confident student write the whole skit. They overly admitted this to me too. Next time, I'll ask each student to produce a portion of a skit first, then they'll have to collaborate to fit them together.

]]> 2017-10-27 16:26:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269234 Cooperative learning is great in theory, but students in my 5th grade class struggle to stay on task and use it as a way to mingle with friends. Even with assigned roles, not all students take their roles seriously and students who truly care about the topic/groupwork will just take on extra roles. Any ideas how to hold them accountable that doesn't translate into individual work within group work? kcable19 https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269309 2017-10-27 16:26:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269309 I tried splitting my 5th grade art students into 7 groups of 3-4 students. Each group was responsible for reading a short passage on a tradition of Dia de Los Muertos. Each student in the group had to pick a different fact to share with the class. It worked pretty well and students definitely learned a lot. https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269341 2017-10-27 16:26:45 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269341 Adopt a Physicist cmduke33 https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269426 We have an adopt a Physicist group assignment where they all have jobs to organize certain aspects (but they all have to participate in each aspect - someone just organizes it). They have had some time to prepare in class and sometimes they have to manage that in a work period with other assignments (it's a lesson on management as well).  The project has spanned 3 weeks so far and ends next Friday with a presentation.

]]> 2017-10-27 16:26:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269426 https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269443


]]> 2017-10-27 16:27:02 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269443 It's difficult to figure out when best to use it, but nothing is better than a classroom filled with productive groups of engaged learners. I find it works best with tasks that take problem-solving skills but has material all students can access easily. https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269567 2017-10-27 16:27:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269567 We have assigned seats that correlate to their group. We switch this around every couple of weeks. Most of the group work we have done are laboratories. https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269747 2017-10-27 16:27:46 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269747 https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269935 I have had my students assign group roles, and "divide and conquer" the research in order to collect all of the information. With some groups, it has been successful, however some students clearly pull their weight more than others.]]> 2017-10-27 16:28:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201269935 https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201270126 I really enjoy peer-reviews. They use the same rubric that I would use to assess, but each student also has to recommend improvements

]]> 2017-10-27 16:28:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201270126 Volume Level During Group Work https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201270390 I find that with group work in a classroom of 20+ students, the volume can get a bit out of control. Frequent reminders are given, but the volume usually gets raised again after a few minutes. Padlet could help reduce the volume significantly, but does anyone have any other suggestions?

]]> 2017-10-27 16:29:12 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201270390 Defiant Students https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201270470 I have some students that will refuse to work with groups when they are assigned not with their friends. They become major distractions. How do I get around this? I do not want to just have the student always leave during group work, but the student does not work well with their friend.]]> 2017-10-27 16:29:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201270470 Strategic grouping strategies work better than random/count-off grouping. https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201271074

]]> 2017-10-27 16:30:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201271074 Once I started using grouping strategies, a lot of my behavioral problems went away --> students were able to complete the assignment together at least. One thing I still struggle with is if groups finish before other groups, even if I have other work for the first group to do, some are just more efficient https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201271190 2017-10-27 16:30:47 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201271190 My mentor lets the students always be in groups with their friends so when I group them with other people they get pissy. How do I make it fun for them? https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201271203 2017-10-27 16:30:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201271203 Grouping Disaster https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201271611 What do you do when you've randomly grouped strategies and students that are not good together end up in the same group....?]]> 2017-10-27 16:31:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mmcnulty6/pobm2peqtsp6/wish/201271611