A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Collaborative Learning and Individ

Introduction Group work is a way to organize classroom activity where students are given a group assignment from the teacher and where the students’ level of participation depends on how they engage in the group task (Chiriac & Frykedal, 2011). For example, if students work cooperatively or collaboratively, then students within the group will have an increased learning retention and increased critical thinking (Chiriac & Frykedal, 2011). Bennett and Dunne (1992), and Galton and Williamson explain that cooperative group work occurs when students divide the work load in a group and each individual completes a different part of the assignment. Consequently, cooperative learning may result with no interaction between students in the group. On the other hand, collaborative learning occurs when each individual member of a group works on the same task that is presented (as cited in Chiriac & Frykedal, 2011). The evidence on the effectiveness of collaborative group work is convincing, and is shown to positively affect the way students learn (Frey, Fisher, & Allen, 2009). Students using collaborative learning learn to develop social skills and have opportunities to contribute to the group (â€Å"What are the benefits†, n.d.). Students enjoy working together and interaction between students may promote higher critical thinking and an increased learning retention (Chiriac & Frykedal, 2011). I will investigate the efficiency of using collaborative grouping compared to individual work with 6th and 8th grade students at Pine Mountain Middle School. The benchmark that will be used to measure efficiency will be how well the middle school students perform with Solidworks, a 3D engineering program. . Statement of the Problem Teachers debat... ...ement in Sweden. In C. M. Evertson, & C. S. Weinstein (Eds.), Handbook of classroom management: Research, practice, and contemporary issues. (pp. 1141–1160) Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publisher. Individual learning. (20, December 2005). Retrieved from http://www.ica-sae.org/trainer/english/p14.htm Johnson, D., Johnson, R.: Cooperative, competitive, and individualistic learning. Journal of Research and Development in Education, Vol. 12,p.p. 8 –15, 1978. Slavin, R. (1995). Research on cooperative learning and achievement: What we know, what we need to know. Retrieved from http://www.konferenslund.se/pp/TAPPS_Slavin.pdf Solidworks. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.solidworks.com/ What are the benefits of cooperative and collaborative learning?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/coopcollab/index_sub3.html