Cooperative Learning

You will create a 450–550 word thread in response to the prompt. The thread must include at least one in-text citation from the textbook, scholarly journals, and/or the Bible.

Group assignments are hotly contested at the post-secondary level, especially in an online environment.  Some faculty members promote group assignments, while other faculty members discourage the use of group assignments.  Perhaps you have had to encounter group assignments in your degree program.  There is no doubt that cooperative learning assignments are beneficial; however, there are some drawbacks to assigning group work.

There are four prompt options for your initial thread.  Read all four thread options, select the one prompt that is most applicable to you, and respond.  Ensure your thread fully answers and explains the one prompt you selected.

Thread Options:

1. In your current role as an online student, what are the positives and negatives for participating in group assignments?
2. In your opinion and in your current student role, what is the purpose of cooperative learning at your level of education?  How do you ensure the purpose of cooperative learning is met while mitigating any potential negatives?  Make sure you fully explain your answer!
3. If you were designing an online course and had to include a group assignment, what would you do?  How would you set up the assignment?  What parameters would you place around the assignments?  Make sure you fully explain your answer!
4. As an educator, when is cooperating learning appropriate?  When is cooperative learning assignments not appropriate?  What do you need to think about and plan for when you design cooperative learning activities?  Make sure you fully explain your answer!