Cooperative Learning yes or no

[jktb]

hi ..

as a part of my project, i want to ask you, Do you think that co-operative learning is the best teaching method for nursings subjects ?

yes or no ( please say your opinion to help me with my project )

- Cooperative learning is the instructional use of small groups so that students work together to maximize their own and each other's learning.

Class members are organized into small groups after receiving instruction from the teacher. Then they work through the assignment until all group members successfully understand and complete it.

[jktb]

advantages of CL

– Higher Grades.

– Allows different brains to concentrate on the same ideas.

– It Enhances Students' Communication Skills.

- Exposure to the views of others.

[jktb]

disadvantages

time consuming.

– lack of co-operation from other students.

– some partners don't understand the information at all and need explanation.

-[color=white] the personalities clash.

[tddowney]

No one method is going to work for every person, or in every discipline.

We don't have group project assignments, other than some brief case studies during classes. Time to complete is limited, and everyone is already in the room, obviating the problem of scheduling and absences. In that setting, I think groups work pretty well for many students.

If it's a large assignment, or a large group, then it will likely break down along the lines already mentioned--too much socializing, freeloaders, etc.

[EmerNurse, BSN, RN]

What Sonnyjon said - exactly!

I HATE group work, especially when it's graded as a group (regardless of who did what in the project). One of my biggest peeves was the sluggish nature of groups. I'm personally one of those who always finished projects and assignments very early - often the next day or two after it was assigned, on the assumption that what I've got done I no longer have to worry about. I went nuts when a group just slugged along and then had a big panic near the due date. Ended up doing most of the work myself - bah hate groups!

[llg, PhD, RN]

I am old and have been out of school for many years. I think I have a different perspective to add.

1. I hated group projects as a student. Always did. Always will. They were a waste of my valuable time.

2. But ... I have had many positive experiences working on group projects in the adult work world.

The proponents of group teaching methods always say that such work teaches students how to work in groups during their careers. I have never found the 2 types of experiences to be similar. The school projects are nothing like the work projects you get in real life. Perhaps if teachers used projects and allowed the adult interpersonal dynamics of real-life be a part of the school project, it would be different. But I have yet to experience that in a learning project.

For example ... in real life, there is usually a chairman and different levels of expertise and power within the group. In school projects, people are usually supposed to be equals. In real life, the group leaders will probably get more credit (or blame) than the other members -- i.e. not everyone gets the same grade. These and similar differences make the experience of working in groups far different from what it is like in school.

The basic assumption that student projects and work world projects are alike needs to be seriously questioned.

llg

[S.T.A.C.E.Y, LPN]

My ideal would be co-operative learning through clinical practice. Not stupid group assignments where we have to divy up work, and one person inevitably does more/less work then others.

In my ideal world, we would have clinical practice, and then do 'rounds' with the group, then discuss in post-conference each individual patient and related nursing care & critical thinking questions. Cardiac learning would be discussed with relation to cardiac patients, and if possible, with a cardiac patient chart in hand to explain. GI illnesses would be presented to the group with corresponding patient info, and the opportunity for the group to ask questions. Of course, lectures would still be needed for the base, but I think that the 'rounds' group learning would be an awesome way to learn.

[I RN A]

I hate group projects. There are a lot of people who are irresponsible and just don't give a s--t. As the group you get the same grade. Some people do most of the work and some just do theur part. I have spend weeks and days on putting a group presentation together and only 2 out of 7 people thanked me.

[jktb]

i think from your responses that the major problem with cooperative learning is lack of cooperation from other students.

thank you all ,i want others to participate

[Jules A, MSN]

i think from your responses that the major problem with cooperative learning is lack of cooperation from other students./quote]

HATED group projects! I think in some ways its the school's politically correct attempt to push through some of the dead weight. If everyone were to do a fair share of the work (like that would ever happen) why should my grade be partially dependent on a C student when I am not a C student? Sounds harsh I know but those stinking group projects wore me out.

For the record this is not about being a team player. You can be a great team player, willing to pitch in and do whatever is necessary to keep things running on your floor without liking those ridiculous group projects.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I don't like cooperative learning and my reasons may not make anyone happy:

1. Nursing is not a group exercise. If the individual doesn't get it, maybe they should not be in nursing school or seek remediation.

2. As a nurse, you have to stand on your own two feet and think for yourself. I think cooperative learning leads to the herd mentality.

3. This does not allow for individual learning styles.

[Jules A, MSN]

I don't like cooperative learning and my reasons may not make anyone happy:

1. Nursing is not a group exercise. If the individual doesn't get it, maybe they should not be in nursing school or seek remediation.

2. As a nurse, you have to stand on your own two feet and think for yourself. I think cooperative learning leads to the herd mentality.

3. This does not allow for individual learning styles.

Makes perfect sense to me. I have a friend in the corporate world that has done tons of research on the generation gap that exists in the workplace. She says that very often younger workers that have come out of this type environment are left wondering where "their team" is when they start their first job. :uhoh21:

[Lori RN_09_2b]

I don't like cooperative learning and my reasons may not make anyone happy:

1. Nursing is not a group exercise. If the individual doesn't get it, maybe they should not be in nursing school or seek remediation.

2. As a nurse, you have to stand on your own two feet and think for yourself. I think cooperative learning leads to the herd mentality.

3. This does not allow for individual learning styles.

:yeahthat: