Cooperative Learning

–An overview of the characteristics of the approach

One famous cooperative learning approach is called the Jigsaw method. The Jigsaw Method was developed by Elliot Aronson in 1971, students were divided into several groups at the beginning of the class, which also known as the home group (Dwi Nur Rachmah,2017). Then the teacher will assign one topic to each member of the home group, and students were required to learn about the given topic by themselves (Dwi Nur Rachmah,2017).The next step is to form an expert group, students who got the same topic come together and form an expert group. Within each expert group, students share what they have learned, take notes and help improve each member’s understanding of the topic. Then, students will return to their home group, and start their presentations (Dwi Nur Rachmah,2017).

From the Jigsaw Method, we can identify some of the characteristics of cooperative learning: 1.Students were divided into groups; 2. Students work as a group but each of them have their individual task to accomplish, in other words, they are individually accountable ; 3. Role-shifting within the group, the students were no longer passive learners, they take ownership of their own learning. 

Cooperative learning has advantages and disadvantages. Based on behaviorism theory, cooperative learning as in the Jigsaw classroom can motive students by activating the four sources of self-efficacy. According to Bandura (1988), the four sources of self-efficacy are 1. Performance accomplishment 2. Vicarious experience 3. Social persuasion 4. Physiological and emotional states (Bandura, 1988). When students are within a group, not only they have more role models (where vicarious experience comes from), they are also more likely to be more vivaciously (physiological and emotional states). They also have the chance to feel competent when they feel like they are leading the classroom. 

The disadvantage of cooperative learning might be social loafing, but if everyone are individually accountable, this disadvantage can be avoided. 

—a discussion of how that approach does or does not align with your chosen topic

This approach does align with our chosen topic because our topic is about leadership skills and communication. The way we construct our learning resources also matches how the cooperative approach works: 70% of our assessments are formative. Students will be presented with multiple case studies, and analyze which communication strategy best fit the given scenario, and then formulate a response. After this activity, students will have a peer critique session, this provides them an opportunity to work with others. 

Reference :

Bandura, A. (1988). Self-efficacy conception of anxiety. Anxiety Research, 1(2), 77-98.

Dwi Nur Rachmah. (2017). Effects of Jigsaw Learning Method on Students’ Self-Efficacy and Motivation to Learn. Journal of Educational, 6(3), 1-9.