Structuring Cooperative Learning to Promote Social and Academic Learning

Inquiry-based science requires students to work together to investigate problems, ask questions, challenge each other’s perspective, and negotiate understandings on the topic under discussion. When students cooperate, they learn to listen to what others have to say and consider their perspectives, share ideas and information, clarify misconceptions, and engage in knowledge-building practices that promote new understandings and learning. However, creating cooperative group experiences where students are able to discuss tasks in a meaningful way can be quite challenging unless students understand how they are expected to work together and what they are expected to accomplish. This chapter outlines how to structure cooperative learning so that the benefits widely attributed to this pedagogical practice are realised.