{"id":1353,"date":"2018-10-03T17:56:51","date_gmt":"2018-10-03T21:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/?p=1353"},"modified":"2018-10-03T17:56:51","modified_gmt":"2018-10-03T21:56:51","slug":"the-importance-of-interdependence-within-the-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/2018\/10\/the-importance-of-interdependence-within-the-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Interdependence Within the Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Group Work &#8220;Scaries&#8221;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1394 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/files\/2018\/10\/download-2.jpg?resize=237%2C158\" alt=\"\" width=\"237\" height=\"158\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Everybody has heard the common horror stories about group work. Typically, there is the group member that hoards the project, the member that gets upset with this, and lastly, the group member who sits back with his or her feet up while watching the work get done.\u00a0Clearly, this method doesn&#8217;t benefit <em>any<\/em> group member.<\/p>\n<p>How do you build a group project or assignment that is fool proof against this scenario? How do you, as a teacher, make sure that all students are\u00a0<em>needed<\/em>? The key is <strong>cooperative learning<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Cooperative Learning? What&#8217;s That?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1401 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/files\/2018\/10\/images-1-1.jpg?resize=276%2C183\" alt=\"\" width=\"276\" height=\"183\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Cooperative learning is a teaching method that requires the use of <em>real<\/em>\u00a0group work. This group work type is typically different from regular methods. Cooperative learning requires that students:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Truly depend on one another<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1400 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/files\/2018\/10\/images-2.jpg?resize=225%2C225\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/files\/2018\/10\/images-2.jpg?w=225&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/files\/2018\/10\/images-2.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/li>\n<li>Figure out a piece of their own puzzle<\/li>\n<li>Put individual information together to reach a conclusion<\/li>\n<li>All contribute to the assignment or project<\/li>\n<li><em>Actually<\/em> work as a group<\/li>\n<li>Equally distribute work load<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From the above points, it can be seen that the most important factor of cooperative learning is <strong>interdependence<\/strong>. Students must\u00a0<em>need<\/em> each other&#8217;s individual minds and thought processes to reach an overall consensus on the lesson.<\/p>\n<p>With this in mind, <strong>independence<\/strong> within a cooperative learning based group project is still important; but only in the beginning.<\/p>\n<p>Compile your own thoughts\u00a0independently,\u00a0<em>then<\/em> work as a team!<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why is Interdependence Even Important?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1402 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/files\/2018\/10\/download-1-1-300x99.jpg?resize=372%2C123\" alt=\"\" width=\"372\" height=\"123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/files\/2018\/10\/download-1-1.jpg?resize=300%2C99&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/files\/2018\/10\/download-1-1.jpg?w=389&amp;ssl=1 389w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 372px) 100vw, 372px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Interdependence allows for all students to express their thoughts and opinions. Students are <strong>not<\/strong> blank slates! They bring previously built ideas into the classroom that deserve to be shared. Interdependence allows for students to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Share individual knowledge with one another<\/li>\n<li>Debate between said individual knowledge points<\/li>\n<li>Use argument techniques to change possible misconceptions within other students<\/li>\n<li>Piece together individual ideas to build new and more &#8220;whole&#8221; ideas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The video below gives a great\u00a0<em>visual<\/em><em>\u00a0<\/em>representation of interdependence within a classroom. Hopefully this helps your envisioning of the concept.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AHv2OawhG_E\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=AHv2OawhG_E<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Try to make your groups diverse! Students with different experiences can piece together some great puzzle pieces.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>As a Teacher, How Do I Make Sure That My Group Work Will Entail Cooperative Learning?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Wonderful question, reader! The reason that a lot of group work fails is due to the fact that its basis does not <em>require<\/em> teamwork to get to the finish line.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KYezierski\/status\/1047582828765085706\">https:\/\/twitter.com\/KYezierski\/status\/1047582828765085706<\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are many ways that you, as a teacher, can require true teamwork and interdependence within group work. There are several models that one can follow to maximize cooperative learning within a lesson such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>STAD<\/li>\n<li>Jigsaw II<\/li>\n<li>Co-Op Co-Op<\/li>\n<li>Group Investigation<\/li>\n<li>Guided Reciprocal Peer Questioning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While these models may be slightly different, they <em>all<\/em> require interdependence. The goal is not to bore you with the definitions and methods within these models. I want to provide the key reasons as to why they\u00a0<em>work!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1403 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/files\/2018\/10\/images.png?resize=293%2C172\" alt=\"\" width=\"293\" height=\"172\" \/><\/p>\n<p>What takes place within these methods that guarantees cooperative learning?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Students individually become <em>masters<\/em> of their own small topics within a larger topic, then proceed to teach another group of students.\n<ul>\n<li>This leads to the understanding of the topic as a <strong>whole<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Students&#8217; progressions are assessed together to ensure use of\u00a0<em>everyone&#8217;s\u00a0<\/em>mind.<\/li>\n<li>Students may pick a topic, and make groups based on topic interests.\n<ul>\n<li>This ensures that the students are motivated to share ideas and master their topics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Team presentations require multiple students&#8217; input.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Watch the video below to gain more expertise of a productive group project. Where does cooperative learning fit in?<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Productive Group Work\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/JJuTPj0x1AQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Cool, right?<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What Could Cooperative Learning Look Like in a Science Classroom?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Cooperative learning based group projects can be used in a science classroom to help piece together difficult concepts. For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A group of students could break off and learn about one piece of an acid-base titration lab that they may be curious about. These small pieces could include:\n<ul>\n<li>What is a buffer? How do buffers work? Is an indicator a buffer?<\/li>\n<li>What is pH, and how does it relate to acids and bases? How can pH be measured?<\/li>\n<li>What is equilibrium?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1407 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/files\/2018\/10\/images-2-1.jpg?resize=185%2C272\" alt=\"\" width=\"185\" height=\"272\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once each individual has gained an understanding of their topic, the group could form\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0back together and complete the guided lab. The student who knows how the buffer\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0works could describe to another student when to use to buffer. The student who has\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0mastered acid base equilibrium could explain to the student who understand pH why\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0the pH is the way it is within certain points of the experiment.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A group of students could be provided with &#8220;secret&#8221; cards that give clues to specific periodic trends. The group would be provided with a plain periodic table that must be labeled with these trends.\u00a0The students would need to share their cards with one another to piece together what the cards are representing, then each label t<img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1408 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sites.miamioh.edu\/edt431-531\/files\/2018\/10\/download.png?resize=296%2C170\" alt=\"\" width=\"296\" height=\"170\" \/>he group periodic table once conclusions have been reached. Having each student use a different colored marker ensures that each student is contributing to the final periodic table.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Group Work &#8220;Scaries&#8221; Everybody has heard the common horror stories about group work. Typically, there is the group member that hoards the project, the member <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/2018\/10\/the-importance-of-interdependence-within-the-classroom\/\" title=\"The Importance of Interdependence Within the Classroom\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2525,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-cooperative-learning","category-misc"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2525"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1353"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1353\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1409,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1353\/revisions\/1409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/exemplary-science-teaching\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}