Rārangi tohutoro (References)
Co operative learning is consistent with Māori preferred pedagogy. It also increases student engagement and interaction.
The following co operative learning structures provide a means for implementing co operative learning into the classroom programme.
Think, Pair, Share: The teacher provides a task. The task may be to answer an open-ended question or to discuss any topical issue. The students are asked to think about the question or issue. The teacher then asks the students to pair up and discuss their ideas and ask clarifying questions. Each pair then shares these ideas so that there are groups of four discussing their ideas. The students should share their partners’ ideas as well as their own.
Timed Talking: The students are paired up. They have a task that requires them to share information. One student speaks for sixty seconds. Then the other student speaks for forty-five seconds. Then the first student speaks again for thirty seconds.
Doughnut: This is typically a whole class activity. The class is divided into two groups. Each group forms a circle. One circle is inside the other. Each student on the inside circle faces a student on the outside circle, thereby creating pairs of students. The teacher provides a task and a time frame. Each pair completes the task within the time allowed. The teacher then asks either the inside circle or outside to rotate clockwise or anticlockwise. Each student now has a new partner. The following diagram shows two circles: the inner circle is made up of 'A' students; the outer circle is made up of 'E' students. Each pair consists of one 'A' and one 'E'. Some pairs have been indicated by an oval shape. The arrows shows the direction the inner circle will move to create new pairs.
The source for these co operative learning structures is: Brown, D. and Thomson © (2000). Co operative Learning in New Zealand Schools. Dunedin: Dunmore Press Ltd.
