Survey of Actual and Preferred Use of Cooperative Learning Among Exemplar Teachers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported relative use of cooperative learning among exemplar teachers. Comparisons were made of teacher-reported actual versus preferred use of cooperative learning, along with actual and preferred use on each of the 4 elements of cooperative learning delineated by D. Johnson, R. Johnson, E. Holubec, and P. Roy (1984). Several teacher characteristics also were examined to determine whether individual characteristics were associated with relative use. Survey results indicated a significant disparity between overall reported actual and preferred use, as well as a significant discrepancy between actual and preferred use on each of the 4 elements of cooperative learning. Of the 6 teacher characteristics examined, only participation in staff development for cooperative learning was associated with relative use. Follow-up analyses indicated that staff development was related to greater relative use only for the element of individual accountability.