UGC NET Cooperative learning teaching strategies

Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy that gives students of different levels the opportunity to learn things together. Students will hold each other accountable and support one another, but they are also responsible for their own learning.

During cooperative learning, students also learn how to give and take constructive feedback from their classmates.

Cooperative learning is yet another strategy I use to cultivate a classroom culture of community.

Cooperative learning is the instructional use of small groups to promote students working together to maximize their own and each other’s learning

There are many cooperative learning strategies to choose from

Think-Pair-Share and Jigsaw are cooperative learning strategies that can improve understanding and concept mastery when used along with Penda activities. 

Think-Pair-Share strategy is a technique that encourages individual participation and is applicable across all grade levels and class sizes. Students think through questions or tasks using three distinct steps: think, pair, share. 

Jigsaw is a technique that gives students practice in the acquisition and presentation of new material, in review, and in shared discussions. 

According to David Perkins, professor at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, “cooperative learning challenges students, together with peers, to use information in new ways and to create new understanding. Cooperative learning allows students to take a measure of control in their learning (inquiry-based learning vs. teacher-driven), constructing their knowledge in accordance with their prior experiences and knowledge.”

Inside-Outside Circle: In this strategy, students form two circles, with one inside the other. They take turns rotating to discuss ideas with a new partner.

Team Game Tournament: Students are put into small groups to prepare for a trivia game.

Numbered Heads Together

Students work in groups of 3–5. Each group member is assigned a number, then they answer or discuss a concept. The teacher will call on a number to share out.

Four Corners (TeachingWithSimplicity.com)

Give students 4 choices. Allow students to choose their own answers and then go to the corresponding corners where those answers are assigned. Then students will discuss their thinking.

Carousel (Univ. of Albany)

Students are broken up into groups. The teacher places chart paper with different questions around the room. Each group has a different color marker and rotates to each poster answering the questions together.

Three Stay, One Stray (TheOwlTeacher.com)

Allow students to group up in groups of 4. They will discuss a question or concept. Number students 1–4. After students are done, call a number and that student will leave their group and tell the new group what they discussed. Then pose a new question and repeat the process.

Cooperative Learning Strategies – MCQs

1. In the Jigsaw strategy, what happens in the classroom?
a) Students solve puzzles individually
b) Each group becomes expert on a topic and shares with others
c) Teacher provides all answers directly
d) Students rotate among stations with charts

Answer: b) Each group becomes expert on a topic and shares with others

2. Which cooperative learning strategy involves assigning numbers to group members and calling on a number to share?
a) Carousel
b) Numbered Heads Together
c) Think-Pair-Share
d) Three Stay, One Stray

Answer: b) Numbered Heads Together

3. In Four Corners strategy, students:
a) Rotate around posters answering questions
b) Choose among four answers and move to the matching corner
c) Pair up to discuss and share
d) Work silently and individually

Answer: b) Choose among four answers and move to the matching corner

4. Which strategy allows students time to think individually, then discuss in pairs, and finally share with the whole group?
a) Jigsaw
b) Carousel
c) Think-Pair-Share
d) Four Corners

Answer: c) Think-Pair-Share

5. The strategy where one student leaves their group to share with another group is called:
a) Jigsaw
b) Three Stay, One Stray
c) Carousel
d) Numbered Heads Together

Answer: b) Three Stay, One Stray

Cooperative Learning Strategies – MSQs

6. Which of the following strategies involve students moving physically around the classroom?
a) Carousel
b) Four Corners
c) Think-Pair-Share
d) Jigsaw

Answer: a, b

7. Which strategies require students to share their learning with the whole class?
a) Jigsaw
b) Think-Pair-Share
c) Numbered Heads Together
d) Carousel

Answer: a, b, c

8. Which strategies divide students into small groups of 3–5?
a) Numbered Heads Together
b) Jigsaw
c) Three Stay, One Stray
d) Four Corners

Answer: a, b, c

9. Which of the following emphasize peer teaching and peer discussion?
a) Jigsaw
b) Think-Pair-Share
c) Three Stay, One Stray
d) Carousel

Answer: a, b, c, d

10. Which cooperative learning strategies are most suitable for analyzing multiple perspectives on a problem?
a) Four Corners
b) Carousel
c) Numbered Heads Together
d) Jigsaw

Answer: a, b, d