What is Cooperative Learning?

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It is an educational method that involves more than just students working together in groups. Instead, cooperative learning involves students working together for a common goal or purpose. 

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Why is it Relevant to My Adult Learners?

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Nutrition professionals rarely work by themselves, and many work in teams in kitchens. This method is ideal because it promotes critical skills necessary for effectively working in groups and for their job success.  There are five critical attributes that cooperative learning develops that benefit my adult learners. The attributes are:

1. Positive interdependence: occurs when group members believe that the team's success depends on individual and group efforts. Essentially, we all win, or we all lose together. 

2. Individual accountability: you are responsible for your own work and must contribute to the group's work. No one gets a "free lunch."  Everyone has a job/task/role.  

3. Promotes face-to-face interaction: it encourages group members to engage, learn from and with each other, and reach a goal through joint efforts. 

4. Develops interpersonal and small group skills: learners gain skills working with different personalities, learning conflict resolution, decision making, and communication styles.

5. Develops group processing skills: after completing the task, learners reflect on the task outcomes, assess how well the team performed and what areas need improvement.

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