Cooperative Learning and Student Achievement

Abstract

This chapter describes the current slate of the art in cooperative learning and student achievement. There are dozens of distinct cooperative learning methods, plus many variations. All cooperative learning methods share the idea that students work together to learn and are responsible for one another's learning as well as their own. The chapter explores the outcomes of cooperative learning studies according to several criteria. Student Team Learning methods are cooperative learning techniques developed and researched at Johns Hopkins University. Teachers who make regular use of cooperative learning methods are still a small minority of all teachers, but they nevertheless number in the tens of thousands. However, reviewers have differed sharply on the cOl1ditiolls under which cooperative learning affects student achievemcnt. In addition to the idea of cooperative work, Student Team Learning methods emphasize the use of team goals and team success that can only be achieved if all members of the team learn the objectives being taught.