Structured cooperative learning experiences offer many opportunities for students to develop necessary skills. It allows for students to work on specific tasks, have structure, and designated roles. Working in a situation like this is very much like the environment they will encounter with a future job. The students also will have to talk with, and understand, each other. This will take a lot of communication back and forth, to teach, clarify, and question each other. Within each group, there will also be norms as to who speaks when, how conflicts are settled, how to help a struggling group member, etc. Speaking and responding to each other in productive ways is necessary for a successful experience. Students are able to apply and learn social skills through their cooperative learning experience. Students also are part of working towards a shared goal. They learn what it means to work as part of a team. Through their shared experience in the group, they will succeed or fail together based on their individual contributions. Employers are often looking for people who are "team players", and cooperative learning helps to teach that concept.
