THE KEY ELEMENTS OF COOPERATIVE LEARNING
According to James A. Duplass (2006), the following are the most commonly found characteristics of cooperative learning:11
Teacher supervision—the teacher should always monitor group activity to ensure that students are not veering too far off task. The teacher should also be available to answer student questions and guide discussion if necessary.
Heterogeneous groups—the teacher creates groups of diverse ability levels and backgrounds.
Positive interdependence—by setting group goals and working towards a reward or final learning outcome.
Face-to-face interaction—students are encouraged to use verbal and nonverbal communication to solve problems and explain learning material.
Individual accountability—students are accountable for their tasks and for assisting the whole group meets learning goals. This accountability is enforced through student roles.