Cooperative learning, which was "developed as a means to reduce competition in American schools, which James Coleman identified as a negative component of the education system." (LearnNC). After conducting a study of students in 9 Midwest high schools, James Coleman "[suggested] that instead of encouraging competition in the academic setting, 'which effectively impedes the process of education,' schools should introduce a more collaborative approach to teaching." Robert Slavin built on the research of Coleman, and researched a form of cooperative learning that he named "Student Team Learning, which he described as "'instructional programs in which students work in small groups to help one another master academic content'". Slavin believes that cooperative learning can help a student "[develop] characteristics of adolescents in order to harness their peer orientation, enthusiasm, activity, and craving for independence within a safe structure". Many teachers are unwilling to give in to cooperative learning as it means that they must relinquish some of their control. However, if implemented correctly, cooperative learning has been shown to "increase student communication skills and academic achievement(s)". In the near future cooperative based learning might become the norm for all classrooms.
Article: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4653
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