Below is the script found from my instructional strategy video on cooperative learning:
Cooperative Learning is a broad sector under Instructional Strategies. Cooperative Learning utilizes small groups for students to work in in order to collaborate and understand their personal and each others learnings better. Cooperative Learnings goal is to reduce isolation of students and/or competition between each other, and instead make students utilize each other to improve understanding.
Within Cooperative Learning one specific strategy is Four Corners. Many people may have played the game 4 corners as a kid. This strategy uses the game to incorporate team learning and or a way for teachers to assess class knowledge and understanding. The strategy functions by first giving students a topic or question then allowing students to go to one of 4 corners of the room that correlate to their own personal answer. For example a teacher could give a question such as what food group do you think is the most important then label each corner as a different food group. From there, students will move to the corner they believe is the most important. Once all students have a corner they will discuss in partners or as a whole corner to understand everyones view points.
This strategy can be engaging for students by using discussion. Discussion is a key element of cooperative learning. It allows students to appreciate peers viewpoints and goes beyond teacher lecture. The engagement of discussion also allows students to critically work through their own thoughts by having to explain to their peers. Teachers could also include a class discussion after with each corner sharing their key points for the other groups to hear other view points. This activity can give students an opportunity to engage with students they do not usually engage with and learn more about. This strategy can also allow students to engage with different cultural beliefs of students which can welcomes diversity into the classroom.
4 corners can be used by teachers to first see what students know, understand or belief on a certain topic or area of topics. Or it can be used to asses what students learnt about the topic. This strategy being used as an assessment can particularly be used as a focussed listening assessment. This way of assessment allows students to be unaware that they are being assessed which can eliminate nerves. It also allows students to continue to learn from appreciating other view points at the same time of teacher assessment.
Cooperative learning is a fundamental aspect in student development and can used as efficient tool in the classroom to give students opportunities to develop and grow together. 4 corners can add an element of fun for students to collaborate and grow their learnings while also giving teachers an opportunity for assessment.