Module 2: Competitive vs Cooperative Learning: Diminishing Prejudice
Introduction
In this module you will explore competitive and cooperative learning. Our education system has established competition in the learning process. However, learning should not be a competition. In the "real world", people must be able to cooperate and collaborate. So why do we encourage our students to focus on beating their peers in the classroom?
Along with a competitive environment, stereotypes and prejudice hinder learning. The stereotype threat affect many students and teachers may not even realize it's occurring in their own classroom.
Incorporating cooperative learning in your classroom could assist in diminishing these negative conditions. In comparison to typical classroom procedures, cooperative learning consists of students working together to acquire new information and must rely on each other in order to succeed (Online Cooperative Learning). Cooperative learning introduces a social aspect to learning that competitive learning in a sense destroys!
In this module, you will complete two lessons. In Lesson 1 you will look deeper into competitive and cooperative learning, as well as the effects of stereotypes. In Lesson 2, You will also explore techniques you may use to create a cooperative and safe learning environment to counteract issues discussed in Lesson 1.
In the next module, we will focus primarily on the cooperative learning technique, the Jigsaw Method.
Module 2 Objectives
At the end of Module 2, participants will be able to identify and apply techniques to reduce competition, prejudice, and negative stereotypes in the classroom. Participants will also be able to identify and discuss cooperative learning techniques to be used to create a safe learning environment. Participants will describe how to use a cooperative learning strategy in a math classroom.
Lesson 1: Stereotypes and Prejudice in the Classroom
This lesson includes a mini-lecture on the effects of stereotypes and prejudice in the classroom. Participants will watch videos and read an article and then have a guided discussion. Lastly, participants will work in pairs in an experiment.
Lesson 2: Cooperative Learning Strategies
This lesson includes a mini-lecture on competitive and cooperative classrooms followed up by a discussion. Then the participants will begin to think of ways to use cooperative learning strategies in a math lesson. Then the participants will check some common mistakes teachers make with cooperative learning and a guide for the role of the teacher in a cooperative classroom. Lastly, the participants will revisit the Gummy Bear video from Module 1 and apply what they learned in a discussion.
What's next?
In Module 3, you will become familiar with the Jigsaw Method and design your on Jigsaw lesson!
Next Module - Module 3: The Jigsaw Method
Previous Module - Module 1: Why Jigsaw?
Main Page - Jigsaw Your Mathematics Classroom (7-12)
References
"Online Cooperative Learning." Online Cooperative Learning. N.p., 2007. Web. <http://www.cooplearn.org/>.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASDzcvyatgw