Cooperative learning increases student motivation because of the social interaction and working together. In the first video, he also mentions that human interaction can help students become better human beings because they can learn to better understand others, be able to function in a group, and learn the importance of working with others as well. He states, and I agree, that the outcome of all is creating better human beings to function in this world beyond school. There are many roles in cooperative learning tasks that can help to foster more participation out of students who may not otherwise participate much. The individual accountability part of cooperative learning is huge as well. The group processing of cooperative learning goes right into 21st century skills, norms of collaboration and skills employers will want. Social skills will be huge for the workplace and functioning as an adult. The second video gave great tips for how to make it work, starting with baby steps and small size groups to begin. All of this ties into the SEL teaching we are adding into our daily schedules, as well as weekly “Sown to Grow” check-ins from each student. It encourages collaboration between students, and practicing the emotional and social skills they need to develop and perfect in using.
