LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 11 : 6 June 2011
ISSN 1930-2940

Managing Editor: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.
Editors: B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. A. Sharada, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         Lakhan Gusain, Ph.D.
         Jennifer Marie Bayer, Ph.D.
         S. M. Ravichandran, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         L. Ramamoorthy, Ph.D.

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Is Cooperative Learning Cooperative?


Rajesh Bojan, M.A., M.Phil.

Abstract

It is important to be skilful and knowledgeable, but it is equally necessary to have the ability and approach of an effective cooperative worker, able and willing to contribute our share of knowledge and skills expected in a team-working environment. We are often thrown into situations where, in some way or the other, we tend to seek the support of those whom we believe could help us reach our target making matters easier for us. No matter what kind of profession we belong to, there is always a necessity to be cooperative in nature. Working together by distributing our knowledge and work, understanding and supporting our co-workers, organizing the steps of actions to be taken, identifying and negotiating the problems, thereby constructing an ideal cooperative environment to operate, paves way for positive outcomes. This paper examines the impact of cooperative strategy on large classes and tries to explore the common instructional problems associated with cooperative teaching.

Introduction

The technique of working in group is not new to us. Tracing back the history of human evolution, there are innumerable archaeological evidences that provide a clear picture of how thousands of years ago, even in materially less advanced and less complex situations, humans have worked in groups to fulfil their necessities. It may be difficult at this point to make certain of what exactly would have led them to acquire this knowledge and tendency. Was it innate in nature? Or their exposure to the hunting styles of certain animals may have brought this knowledge to them, we are not sure. Whatever may have been their source of knowledge, it is obvious that the idea of combined effort is very ancient. Since then, humans, as they formed more and more materially advanced communities, have managed to understand and master the techniques of collaborative effort. Be it in war, in trade, arts, science and technological developments and what not, humans have mingled to produce mind-blowing creations.

Classroom Condition

If one devotes some time to observe certain schools and colleges in India, it would be shocking to notice students being dumped into classes. Classes have indeed become stockrooms where one could find unmanageable sum of students unbearably occupying every space the classroom could provide. I have myself been a victim to such unfortunate conditions both as a learner and teacher. A class that could barely accommodate thirty or forty seats contains candidates twice its strength. We do not know if there is any quality and facility in such institutions, but they have been very successful in managing and maintaining quantity year after year. Due to the functioning of such educational institutions, education has almost lost its flavour as a service, after all, becoming a highly competitive business. Under such circumstances, teachers are exposed to a variety of challenges and are held accountable for different responsibilities specifically related to ESL/EFL practices.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Rajesh Bojan, M.A., M.Phil.
Assistant Professor and Head
Department of English
Dr. R.V. Arts and Science College
Karamadai
Coimbatore 641 104
Tamilnadu, India
rajeshbojan@gmail.com


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