Cooperative learning strategies and educational outcomes

Cooperative Learning

Harry Wong and Spencer Kagan both believe in cooperation as a key to student success. Interaction is key when developing a successful atmosphere which then increases student success rate. Teachers who involve themselves with the parents and familiarize themselves with the student's world are more likely to have success with that student. Group cooperation is just as essential. Group activities are a more important learning tool than might have been previously thought. Both Harry Wong and Spencer Kagan believe that student participation increases learning potential. Through the cooperation of a teacher and an entire class, each student has a higher potential of learning the material.

Spencer Kagan believes that there are three characteristics of what he calls an "effective teacher," (Wong 2007). He believes that control of the classroom, the exploration of subjects using the mastery technique, and a teacher's belief that the student's will succeed all frame the learning experience in the most efficient way. Wong proposes that an environment which keeps the student engaged is the key to successful teaching. Cooperation between students, teachers, parents, and external environments will ensure better success rates. Wong believes that each and every element of the students' experience contributes towards his or her potential. By engaging in all areas of a student's life, tat student is better able to relate to the teacher and subject material. He explains that an effective teacher is involved in communication with the parents and an understanding of the student's environment.

Wong also believed that cooperation between students was essential. When students work together, their chances at consciously engaging in the material increases. This type of cooperative learning also prepares students to be ready for the social experiences outside of the classroom. It prepares kids for the type of thinking essential to living and working in a very social world. Through this involvement, a teacher can make a huge impact in a student's life, (Wong 2002).

Spencer Kagan believes that the levels of student participation should be equal in order to maximize student potential. With all students actively engaging at the same level, each student will increase their capability of understanding the subject material. He provides several techniques to incorporate students participating with each other. By using techniques such as worksheets encouraging communication between students, each individual student engages in a cooperative style of learning the material at hand, (Fortenburg 1998). Spencer Kagan spreads his own idea of cooperation learning through technique workshops throughout the country.