Cooperative learning is a teaching technique in which students play a major role in their own learning and the learning of the other students in their class because they work in cooperation as the term says it. I believe in the benefits of this technique, but only to a certain extent. Indeed, I don't think that a jigsaw activity, which is a type of activity in which all the members of a team hold a different piece of information and have to put all the pieces together to fulfill the goal of the task, is effective at any time and with any student. In fact, the students have to be quite autonomous to help their teammates when it is needed in this type of activity and this level of autonomy is sometimes not achieved by them. However, I think that if a teacher knows when and how to use cooperative learning, he can achieve success in his classroom.

Samuel

I think that cooperative learning is a great teaching method, probably the one I like the most as a student and as a future teacher. But, although it has a lot more positive notes than negative ones, it is important to understand that it can create issues and problems if not used efficiently and properly. For instance, since working in a team takes a lot of responsibilities it might not suit all students, they have to be responsible and they have to work equally and efficiently. That being said, I think the benefits of working in team and the confidence it gives students makes cooperative learning a really good teaching method.

Jeffrey

I believe that cooperative learning techniques work wonderfully with children as well as adults.
In my eyes, having fun while learning is the most important thing! We are lucky as future English teachers to have the freedom of discussing a variety of subjects and turning learning into games and play. We have so much creative freedom, we need to exploit it!
I find that keeping all students busy with a task avoids any fooling around and it also allows students to be more responsible of their learning. I find that these types of activities work great with inclusive classrooms as well because these activities allow weaker students to participate actively with the support of their classmates. Giving them a responsibility will allow them to develop their self-confidence and also enhance their social skills.
I actually use cooperative activities all the time when teaching adults and they love it. It's a good way for them to interact orally in English with their team mates and it also makes learning more fun.... Let's face it, who doesn't like having fun?! These activities can provide an authentic-like social context or situation and it provides the students with the necessary tools to communicate.

In regards to teaching techniques, I believe cooperative learning as Stremblay mentioned is an efficient way of teaching when you know how to use it properly. Personally, I used cooperative learning during my practicums for activities such as a jigsaw charade questionaires. Each student had clues, but in order to find the correct hero (students had to find which hero all 4 clues were describing) they had to cooperate and read out loud their respective clues associated with the correct number. I have to say that I was really pleased with the results of this activity that was done with elementary 6th grade students by the way. Students were speaking, sharing ideas, reflecting and having fun. In addition, they were learning cultural aspects as well because they did not always know the heroes that I chose when I created the jigsaw activity.In my opinion, as teachers, we must find ways to make our activities fun for all students because it is the best way to learn. This is one of my experiences in the classroom and it has proven to be quite effective so therefore, when you have a well planned cooperative learning activity, this teaching technique is very useful.

Cooperative learning is also the teaching method that I prefer. I think this method is very beneficial for any student, at any level. Although this method is rewarding for students, it has to be well monitored by the teacher. The teacher needs to keep in mind the weak and strong students. When forming teams, the teacher should make sure that there is at least one weak and one strong student working with two other 'average' students. If working in teams of two, there should never be a weak and a strong student working together. This method can therefore be very demanding for the teacher a first, but once the school year has been on going, the task becomes much more easier to handle.

During my first practicum in elementary school, I used a jigsaw activity that was suggested in our university textbook, Animals in a soup, and students really enjoyed it. In fact, students like cooperative learning and I think that when you do a jigsaw activity, the most important thing is to MODEL the activity. In that case, even the weakest students will understand, or a least understand a minimum, of what they are required to do. Another good thing to do with students in elementary (I haven't tried it in highschool), is to ask students if they understand and then ask one person who said yes to explain it to the class in his/her own words. But anayway, remember that cooperative learning involve that students with help each other in their team. So I think that even with a class that has weak students, you can use this teaching method and have students benefit from it.

I also believe that cooperative learning is an effective technique if properly applied and used. CL can help student to better learn, use and reinvest what they learned during class. Moreover, students feel more secure and are more willing to take risks when they see that everyone around them is learning at the same time as they can help each other. Moreover, CL learning gives us, teachers, the opportunity to be creative while choosing or building activities that are interesting for students. However, it is important to feel comfortable while doing CL because it requires a good planning of the periods and activities.

thanks for sharing your idea here:) i appreciate it.