Cooperative Learning

"Cooperative Learning" course # CIC-585o This is a three semester hour graduate course. In this course teachers will learn the principles of Cooperative Learning as they work with other teachers in small CL groups. The teachers will also learn the basics of a CL "support group" that can be duplicated at their school. Anyone interested in creating "safe classrooms" and improving teaching effectiveness will benefit from this course. This course will show you how to create your own Cooperative Learning lessons that will teach students the essential social skills for working with others, and how you can create an environment where students recognize the need to use those skills. You will also gain new skills to use in all areas of your life. (These are many of the skills experienced in the "Teacher Effectivenes" and "Teaching Conflict Resolution" classes.) Each teacher will be responsible for developing a CL lesson plan and, where possible, implementing the lesson plan and sharing the results with their group and the instructor (with an encouragement to video tape their efforts). The course will:

• Show how to promote participation without the use of rewards or threats

• Encourage compassion, understanding and respect among all students

• Provide the skills and perceptions necessary to create a climate of   cooperation

• Provide a basic CL structure that can be used at any grade level with any   subject

• Help students reflect on their own behavior and plan for improvement

• Promote student self-regulation and autonomy

• Assist teachers in creating a sense of community in the classroom

• Help teachers to create a "beloved community" and reduce racism