Cooperative Learning versus Competition

Over the years, I have become an advocate, believing that all children can learn. For some students, support needed may be attributed to a physical disability, sight disability, behavioral disability, or even a learning disability perhaps due to neurological issues, but I see the students are often genius in their own way. I appreciate the uniqueness of each learner but unfortunately have noticed that the students who have different learning styles are isolated even in a classroom practicing inclusion.

 Cooperative learning has not been learned by many regular education students but is a viable solution for learning. Learning support students have often displayed the sensitivity and support of cooperative learning for one another, as this same support should be seen in all classrooms practicing inclusion. The classroom structure and interaction occurring with student-centered learning has much to do with how well students learn, how they feel about school and themselves. Interacting may include students interacting through competition; individually, or even cooperating while taking interest in one another’s learning. (Johnson & Johnson, 1988).  Unfortunately, competition is most prevalent in the United States as is seen through; a) the way students are honored and receive awards; b) the way teachers entrust students with roles and responsibilities; c) through achievements and other extra-curricular courses.  Since educators are responsible to educate each child, competition should be lessened as some students may do their best but because they learn differently, may not achieve what another child achieves in math or reading. Another child may succeed in the arts or sciences.

Cooperative learning involves grouping students together helping one another to learn academic content (Slavin, 2014). Students working together, and toward the same end is ideal but must begin as early as possible. Recently, I had the opportunity of viewing a documentary video that told of the experiences of American students who suffered with dyslexia which is a reader disorder.  The disorder is a neurological disorder in origin and affects student’s ability to accurately or fluently recognize words. Issues related to dyslexia also may include problems with reading comprehension while reducing reading which impedes growth (Tennessee, 2013- 2014). The video affected me strongly as I have personally observed how American students who are considered mainstream students view themselves as superior to students who are labeled “learning support” students.  The documentary showed how dyslexic students often excel in areas of their life in extraordinary ways.

While legislature from the state of Pennsylvania identifies dyslexia as a neurological disorder with unexpected difficulties with fluency and word recognition and poor decoding or spelling abilities as this is not connected to an individual’s intellect (Pennsylvania, 2013-2014). The state has embarked on a pilot program in three districts for feasibility of early screening and intervention.

   

In a society where competition is engrained into the culture, students must learn that they can cooperate with learning for each student no matter the learning style.. They can learn to be caring and helpful citizens.  The presumptions that students have about one another can be clarified if they are taught to work together early on in their classroom experiences. More positive and productive ways of thinking can be learned related to varying learning styles compared to the way they individually learn.