The Cooperative Learning Troubleshooter’s Guide
In spite of all the benefits suggested by the research on cooperative
learning, most teachers have experienced cooperative learning lessons
that seem to fall flat or disappoint in terms of their outcomes. One
common reason for these failures lies in a lack of distinction between
group work and cooperative learning. Cooperative learning is much more
than clumping students into groups and telling them to work together. In
fact, successful cooperative learning lessons are designed around five
principles for success, which are adapted from the work of Johnson and
Johnson (1999). The Cooperative Learning Troubleshooter’s Guide
(Figure 15.4) outlines these five principles of effective cooperative
learning lessons, lists potential signs of trouble that result when particular
principles are not in effect, and provides troubleshooting tips on how
to restore each principle and improve current and future lessons.