Megan Healy, Biology Faculty, Patrick Henry CC
Greg Hodges, Dean, Patrick Henry CC
Transforming Colleges and Classrooms through
Active Cooperative Learning
Something to Ponder…
It is time for us to reaffirm that education – that, teaching in all its forms – is the primary task of higher education.
Stanford University President Emeritus
Donald Kennedy
Video #1
PHCC Facts and Info• Martinsville, VA; Foothills of VA• Headcount – appx. 3000• FTE – appx. 2400• 68% receive financial aid• Highest unemployment in VA for 15 years
running• Hovers around 18-20% • Large population of “TRADE” workers (dislocated
factory workers)
PHCC’s service region
Why Cooperative Learning?
• Encourage contact between students and faculty• Develops reciprocity and cooperation among
students• Encourages active learning• Give prompt feedback• Emphasizes time on task• Communicate high expectations • Respects diverse talents and ways of learning • Meeting Standards
Chickering and Gamson (1987); Seven Principles for Good Practice in Undergraduate Education
10% of what we read
20% of what we hear
30% of what we see
50% of what we see and hear
80% of what we say
90% of what we say and do
Resources for Organization Bowperson Publishing & Training, INC.
America’s Perfect Storm
ETS Policy Information report (2007) states that America is in the midst of a perfect storm.
Three forces will impact the future of our nation:
• Divergent skill distribution• Changing Economy• Changing Demography
2006 REPORT: “Are they ready to work?”
(21st Century workforce)
Basic Skills ranked as “very important” for 2 yr colleges &
Tech school Grads
1. Professionalism & Work Ethic 83.4%
2. Teamwork/Collaboration 82.7%
3. Oral Communications 82.0%
4. Critical Thinking/Problem Solving 72.7%
5. Written Communications 71.5%
6. Ethics & Social Responsibility 70.6%
Group Work is Not CL!!!
Cooperative Learning
• Group effort required;• Students may be
evaluated as a group;• Students accountable
to each other;• Social Skills are
improved;• Emphasis on process
and product.
Group Work
• Little joint effort required;
• Students evaluated individually;
• Minimal interaction;• Helping and Sharing
is minimal;• More “free-riders”; • Emphasis on
product.Activity: Share a CL Experience (+ or-)
Graduation and Transfer Rates with/without CL First Semester
CL in Action – Pass Rates (10/11)
Developmental Math (Fast track with CL):
MTH 09 (pre-Algebra) - 70% MTH 03 (Algebra I) - 74% MTH 04 (Algebra II) - 81%
Survival Rates with/without CL First Semester
What Does This Data Mean?
If students are enrolled in CL classes:• We keep them enrolled for the current
semester!• We get them to come back the next
semester!
• Activity: Road blocks – identify!!!!
Roadblocks
Types of Cooperative Groups
•Base Groups
•Formal
•Informal
Video #2 – explains each!
LECTURE BUSTING WITH INFORMAL COOPERATIVE
LEARNING!
Problem Student Case Study“Your cooperative groups are working on long-term
projects which will end with presentations to the class. You have given them class time to plan and organize. One group is upset because Stella, one of the members is a chronic absentee. She is continuing to attend school but only 2-3 days a week, and she has not done any of the work the group has asked her to do. Since part of the grade will be based on how well everyone in the group participates, the group is afraid that Stella will bring down the group grade. They want Stella out of the group.”
HO: case study
1. Let the group decide what they want to do.
2. You sit down with the group (without Stella) and discuss some ways to get Stella involved at this time.
3. You sit down with the entire group (Stella, too) and set some firm guidelines for continued participation.
4. You call Stella in your office only and discuss why she needs to participate in the group.
5. You allow Stella to work alone and do a presentation by herself.
6. You (instructor) remove Stella out of the group. resulting in a 0 for Stella, since this is a “group” presentation
In Your Group… RANK THE RESPONSES
FROM 1 (FIRST) TO 6 (LAST)
SCALE Institutewww.scaleinstitute.com
• Southern Center for Active Learning Excellence• Annual institute (May)• External Trainings - 8 certified trainers
• Trained colleges from VA, NC, MA, OH, IL, CA, AK, PA
• Courses:
1. Cooperative Learning for the Community College Classroom (4CL)
2. Fundamentals of Active Critical Thinking (FACT)
3. Advanced Student Engagement Techniques (ASET)
4. Active Learning in an Online Environment (CL for DL)
Questions and Panel Discussion……..
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