Chapter 17: Cooperative Learning Theory

Constructivist theory focuses on the idea that students gain understanding and value through their relationships, interactions, and encounters with others. Cohen (1994) defines cooperative learning as “students working together in a group small enough that everyone can participate on a collective task that has been clearly defined, and without direct and immediate supervision of the teacher” (p. 3). Cooperative learning builds upon the concepts in constructivism in that it focuses on meaningful collaborative interactions between students where students are actively engaged in learning though working with their peers seeking a common goal. This gives students the opportunity to build their own knowledge as they simultaneously engage in making meaning through shared dialogue with their peers.