Is It Cooperative Learning or Group Work?
The action research project focuses on answering the question, “how does comprehending the distinctions between cooperative learning and group work (demonstrated through practical application) impact student recall and retention of instructional material?” Cooperative learning is a method in which students work together to reach a common goal using positive interdependence, individual accountability, equal participation, and simultaneous interaction. Based on observations, students struggle with recall and retention of material from the current school year and years prior. A high percentage of these students have difficulties with grasping how to participate fully in cooperative learning – not group work. The action research consisted of 1 control and 3 experimental groups of classes. The experimental groups had consistent feedback on their cooperative learning groups, and how to improve their cooperative learning skills/structures. The control group did not have feedback on their cooperative learning structures. When the control group did not have this feedback, their cooperative learning groups ended up turning into group work. After several weeks of a unit, the students participated in a post-assessment. This assessment confirmed my hypothesis of the correlation between successful cooperative learning groups and their positive impact on retention and recall of material. The students in the experimental groups scored higher overall on the post-assessment and had significantly higher growth than the students in the control group. Students who participate in successful cooperative learning groups with positive interdependence, individual accountability, equal participation, and simultaneous interaction, have better recall and retention of material than students who participate in group work.Project Showcase
Project Defense
