Essay - Cooperative Learning Advantages and Disadvantages of Cooperative Learning Through the...

Cooperative Learning

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cooperative Learning

Through the years, the educational system has developed innovations and teaching models that aimed to develop holistic learning among students. As changes in educational philosophy took place in the 21st century, particularly after the proliferation of critical ********** of education, learning ***** have been ***** as a response to these critical theories.

Among ***** critical theories are Paulo Freire's 'banking concept of education,' wherein learning is merely transmitted from teacher to student, when learning should be experiential ***** the student must be able to understand information s/he receives from the ***** from its social context or environment. Thus, as a response ***** ***** critic*****l assessment ***** teaching and learning, cooperative learning aims to let the student experience learning not only with the teacher, but with o*****r ***** as well.

***** as an "instructional method in which students w*****k in small groups to accomplish a common ***** goal under the guidance of the teacher," cooperative learning has ***** applied to educational institutions for its advantages, such as increased interaction among students, collaborative learning, and development of ********** interpersonal and group skills as *****y accomplish a particular task or activity (Lin, 2006:34-5). In the texts that follow, the researcher provides an in-depth discussion ***** analysis of the advantages and disadvantages ***** cooperative learning ***** with regards to student learning and as a teaching method.

One of the distinct characteristics of cooperative learning is that it promotes shared responsibility as the sharing ***** ideas ********** in ***** learning process. In Lin's (2006) analysis of cooperative learning in the science classroom setting, shared responsibility through sharing of ideas are promoted the concept of "rewarding positive interdependence and individual accountability" (38). This concept illustrates how, despite working in a group, e*****ch ***** ***** collaboratively with a team of students learns ***** to be dependent ***** other people while at the same, inculcate the attitude of independence in learn*****g. The individual, through dependence with his/her *****, learns how to share responsibility when accomplishing a ***** or *****ctivity. However, ***** learning also ***** independence because the student, as a member of the group, must assume a role ***** position wherein s/he must be able to accomplish so that the group will be successful ***** ***** task they are working on.

***** second advantage of cooperative learning is that it develops the individual's communication skills at all levels (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group *****). Bandiera (2006) noted in her study of cooperative learning in the classroom that ***** become more articulate ***** *****ir ***** in the classroom ***** cooperative learning was *****. That *****, students s*****ed "greater involvement...were demonstrated by ***** in discussions..." (132). In fact, the author ***** ***** students' participation and involvement were overwhelmingly pos*****ive that, ***** ultimately led ***** a "positive evaluation of ***** teaching activity." More importantly, however, is that th***** finding shows teachers and education practitioners that communication and articulation of thoughts is developed and enhanced as students are engaged in a highly interactive and collaborative