Cooperative Vs. Individual Learning

Cooperative Learning vs. Individual Learning

Everyday, in every classroom, children are exposed to many different types of learning. Teachers offer different instructional settings; such as, small group settings, whole group settings, and individual settings in order to maximize the students' ability to learn. Each child learns at a different rate and with a different learning style, so the responsibility lies upon the teacher to figure out how to better enhance the classroom experience in order for children to learn. Though this can be done in many ways, teachers who incorporate each type of learning strategy into the lesson plan, find that the students will benefit tremendously.

According to Making Cooperative Learning Work, a "cooperative classroom team is a relatively permanent, heterogeneously mixed, small group of students who have been assembled to complete an activity, produce a series of projects or products, and/or who have been asked to individually master a body of knowledge" (Vermette, 1998). Students who learn in this setting believe that success gained by one team member directly impacts the success of his or her teammates. With cooperative learning, the teacher does not actively monitor each group, but instead moves between the groups, observing the interaction, and intervening when appropriate. The cooperative learning approach is based on the belief that learning in an active environment is more effective and beneficial if the instruction is student-centered. The cooperative learning approach also enhances the student's ability to reflect on his or her own assumptions and thought processes by sharing ideas in a group, developing interpersonal skills and a tolerance for

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diversity, and helps to develop higher-order thinking skills when working with others (Chye, 2008). Cooperative learning works best when the teacher assigns the groups and allows the children to work independently with one another instead of depending on the teacher for knowledge.

The individual learning approach allows students to work individually in a group with a set deadline. Children take responsibility for only themselves, and focus on individual performance alone. The groups are chosen by the students instead of the teacher and they tend to be quite large. In individual learning, the student is only concerned with his or her grade and this causes little to no interaction with his or her peers. Individual learning is appropriate for certain, specific projects or assignments, but should still be overseen by the teacher. Some children learn better working independently from other students, and this approach can benefit the children if done correctly.

Though every child learns differently, both cooperative learning and individual learning can be successful in the classroom if executed properly