Cooperative Learning--The way of the future

Cooperative learning is a natural way to study social studies. It makes assessing students a more natural process as well as allowing them to assess themselves according to Johnson & Johnson. Teachers need to create an environment that allows students the opportunity to work cooperatively sharing thoughts and ideas as well as constructive criticisms to one another.

Feedback is major in education. Feedback increases the value in social studies collaborative work. It promotes positive interaction with students, their peers and their teachers. Self evaluation is crucial in developing personally and academically. Peer evaluation is also very important to ensure all team members of a collaborative effort are truly putting their best foot forward and doing their part in the work. With appropriate information and feedback, students can learn to reevaluate their behaviors and self correct their social behaviors during interaction with peers.

Dr. Smirnova built this class on a cooperative learning environment. She really practices what she preaches. Every single class we are expected to collaborate and work in groups. We are expected to evaluate and reflect about our team efforts, as well as a self reflection. This type of learning environment really helps students excel and expose their true potential. All of  us are good at something, put us in a group and we become INCREDIBLE!


 Research has shown that students learn more from their peers than anyone else in their lives during their childhood and adolescent years. Teachers should be creating a cooperative learning environment so our students can experience what cooperative learning has to offer.
  
Students prefer group work over any other work anyway, why not give them what they want all while it benefits EVERYONE!!!! This is the type of environment I envision in my future classroom!!!