Johnson & Johnson

An Overview of Cooperative Learning

In this article, Roger T. and David W. Johnson outline the ways in which cooperative learning must be utilized to be effective. I found the end of the article most interesting; the conclusion that charts the outcomes of cooperative learning strategies, supported by research, and their relationships with each other. The outcomes, including accuracy of perspective taking, interpersonal relationship skills, are not isolated. In fact one outcome might support and foster another one, all of which reinforces the efficacy of cooperative learning.

Something to take away: "What children can do together today, they can do alone tomorrow" (Let Vygotsky, 1962). Johnson and Johnson not that students should be ready to complete tasks alone after working on those tasks in their cooperative group.