MY COMMENTS ABOUT THE PRESENTATION: IRENE MEGIAS

Good morning, I'm Irene and I´m going to tell you my feelings about the first project. In general, all presentations were fantastic!

Amigos del football:

This was the second team to expose, and despite the nerves they did very well. I really liked the powerpoint, was very visual and attention; also, they added many new ideas. They explained everything very well and clearly. They English was very managed and I understood them pretty well.

To start their presentation they showed us the index that were taking place in his presentation, something which I think is a good idea. Then they talked about the definition of cooperative learning, and they did quite well. What I liked most is that, for example, they give more importance to the group daily or the notebook than in my group. 

Another thing that caught my attention was the comparison of the advantages and the difficulties that can be found in the cooperative learning. Like all things, this learning method can also lead to difficulties (which is not the same as disadvantages) and is well talk about them above all to try to overcome them and not put them aside.

Finally, they made their activity. It seems to me a very entertaining activity that can be very useful at the beginning of course to let students know each others. In groups, we had to fill a diana with our personal data (name, favorite color, favorite music, favorite movie, etc ...). In this way, we can know more about our classmates. Finally, one of each group briefly explained to the others classmates the things that in his or her group the members have in common. 

Team perk:

This team also made a good presentation and every member knew of what they talked about; when the teacher asked them something they knew to answer without problem.

Something that caught my attention was that they visited a school for taking photographs as structured class, place the tables so that the children can work in orderly and in a comfortable way. Also, another thing I really liked was the evaluation sheet because no other group did it. It was different and original!

In this team It was given much importance to the different guidelines or rules that both students and the teacher must follow in order to carry out a successful collaborative learning and work in teams. This was closely related to the activity that they proposed: by groups we made a circle, and had to pass a ball a few others saying aloud a rule to put in class. After 2 minutes, one of the members of each team had to recall and write on the blackboard all standards that had been said in these 2 minutes. It is a good activity that can be very useful for the teacher and for the students, because it allows all participate and that among all believe a series of standards.

Crónicas viajeras:

This group was one of my favorites. I liked because they explained all the contents in a simple and dynamic way, which helps us to understand it all better. The English was very good and fluid, I understood them pretty well.

The presentation was a "tour" of travel referring to their group name, something that I really liked. Another thing that I also liked is that they employed many examples to explain the theory, something which also helped me to understand better the different concepts or techniques.

Something also mentioned that other groups were not, was the characteristics that must be individually for group work, and those that we should put aside, since they could bring negative consequences to the group.

The activity was fun, and also referred to their group name again. The day before they warned us that we had to carry a souvernir or something that we buy on a trip. In groups, we had to explain the meaning of this object, picture, or whatever our fellow, and later, a member of each group explained to the rest of the class the souvenir of another companion of his working group and what it meant for him or her. It was so good.

The unknowns:

  

The presentation of this team was also very good. They explained everything very clearly and concisely. I really liked the prezi that they made, since it allowed them to make it more visual and make diagrams, making it easy to make us better run with ideas.

They mentioned something that other groups didn´t do and was the importance that each team roles should be rotating, for so all members at least once can be responsible for each task. They explained that the teacher also has a very important role, and that should serve as a guide for students when it comes to carrying out each role.

Another remarkable thing was to use different quotes from authors; I liked much of Ray Kroc saying something like: " None of us is as good as all of us togeher". For me, this is the essence of collaborative learning. We are all together are better than separately. Something that caught my attention much was the roulette made with different standards or ideas to make the collaborative learning successful. Among them they include the sharing material, respecting the different ideas, the reflection of the group, follow a table plan, etc.

Finally, like all the other groups, they did their activity. It was fun and dynamic, I liked it so much. We had to do a very large circle among all and we had to spend a ball saying things we liked and things that do not. We were a few minutes playing, and later had to form group with those colleagues who had more or less our tastes. It is a good activity not only for the students to know each other, also to the teacher to knows his students.

      Dumbledore Teacher's Army:

What I liked the most about this team was the format of the presentation. They made a very original powerpoint based in the newspaper of the "Harry Potter" film, that also is related to its name of group. Without any doubt, what most caught my attention were the gifts.

They added new information to us that not only were based on the document that Yolanda gave us; they availed themselves of more sources, something that is great. They told us new ideas such as "promotion of positive interdependence", the proper use of interpersonal skills that meet certain conditions criteria such as face-to-face interaction, different forms of assessment, etc. However, there were times that it was difficult to follow the presentation and I didn´t understand them very well, perhaps because they were nervous, something normal. Sometimes seemed were not very clear in their minds what they wanted to say and how they wanted to say. From my point of view is something that they must improve, and surely with the passage of time will make it.

The activity was fun and different. We were put in pairs and the goal was to knew better our pair. They gave us a paper with several questions that we should be doing to our partner. After a few minutes, a couple of couples was selected to present his/her pair to us.

·         Modern Students:

What I liked most about this group was the format that they exposed all the theory. They made several posters explaining all the concepts and techniques of collaborative learning in a clear and precise manner. In addition, it was very complete because the most of the concepts that apper in the document was explained.

Something that also liked a lot was that they created a section where they exposed different tips for that teachers to use this method (create labour standards, encourages respect...), something that is very useful for us because in the future we will be teachers and we need to know how to use it in our classroom.

The activity was great, I liked a lot. They put us all in a circle and asked us to closed eyes. They stuck us in the front stickers of different shapes and colors, and without talking among ourselves, we had to find those who had the same sticker than us. It was very fun, original and entertaining.

This activity can be very useful at beginning of course for the teacher, it is a way to know their students. With this game you can see who are most competitive (in this case would be those who preferred to find his partner rather than helping others) and who are more collaborative (those who prioritised before helping others find your partner or your group). 

·         Wanderslust:

Without a doubt, this group made a very good presentation. What I liked most was the format in which they exposed all the theory, since they made numerous videos recorded themselves to explain the concept, techniques of this method, etc. Apart from it take more work and difficulties than other formats such as powerpoint or the prezi, seems to me use this type of format for presenting works because it is very fun and also engages and motivates the public.

The English was very good and fluid; while some member said that it would like to improve their English in public I think that none of them had any problem when it comes to express themselves. Understood them perfectly.

Activity carried out, in my opinion, was not as fun and entertaining as the other group, however, was very useful to close and leave this issue settled. We were put into three groups of 5-6 people. In a paper, individually, we had to put 3 or 4 main ideas of collaborative learning, and then had them put in common with our group. Later, we had to make a consensus and reach agreement among all the members of the group above the main ideas which were actually or the keys to this method of learning.

BEATRIZ MARTINEZ ISIDRO

First of all I should say that in general all the theoretical parts was great because it’s quite difficult explain the same again and again and make in different ways but there was some of them that I love because of their creativity. These groups are: WANDERLUST, CRÓNICAS VIAJERAS and TEAM PEARK.

-          AMIGOS DEL FOOTBALL

They explain quickly, because of the limit of time, but in a clear way something that I think that is quite difficult. I highlight the idea to make rules to work with a group because this makes easy the team work. I like that they add some information that we that were the first group didn’t say. The only think that I could highlight in a negative way is the fact that they forgot to put the personal commitments. 

The activity was simple but effectivity. It’s perfect if you have a group where nobody knows others. I think that it could be change depending on the age of the member, the objective of the teacher… so it’s a good activity because of its flexibility.

-            TEAM PEARK

The know how to use the time because they did a very good work and they didn’t need to meet. They explain all with their own words and they understand it because when teacher ask they know how to answer. Something that I remember was the class rules because this takes me to the program Supernanny and I think that her methodology is fantastic so take it and use it in a class I think that is a great idea.

The activity has a very clear objective, make the rules of the class. This is something that teachers do always at the beginning of the course. I feel always that this was boring and so on but I realise that you could do the same in a funny way because I don’t stop laughing so I think that it was a fantastic activity because they take something so simple and became it in something very special.

-         CRÓNICAS VIAJERAS

I really love this exposition because they made a metaphor between the theory and their name. First of all they were really well organizing and it was obviously that they had learnt the theory and the most important item; they understand all of it because they help each other.

The activity consisted in take something important to us or some souvenir of a trip that could describe us or something like that. With this we could learn more about our classmates but in other way that the last activities because we learn more that the favourite colour or type of music so I think that they give another meaning of an existent activity.

-         MODERN STUDENTS

They made a poster and I like too much the tips for the teacher. They focus the project similar like us, I mean; they take the main ideas and did a guide. I highlight the idea of compare and advantages and complication of this theory. In general I think that this work was so great because they simplify the meaning of cooperative learning and put many examples.

At the beginning I don’t understand very well the idea because when they say that we couldn’t speak and I think that we couldn’t make signals too but it wasn’t the case. Finally the activity was so original and dynamic and I feel very comfortable.

-         WANDERLUST

This was the most original presentation. I really but really love the idea of present the theory through a video. I realise that this group work so hard to make it and I value this so much. I think that it was the clearest exposition. They use many examples, told the ideas with their words, make draws to explain different ideas… I love it.

They change the original idea of the game to make other where we put in common all ideas that we have learn during those days. I think that this decision is so mature and intelligent. I could describe this work in a word, perfect!

-          UNKNOWNS

I think that was the only or one of the groups that mention different authors and I think it’s important taking this into account because the teacher want it and many people didn’t do. Because of the nervous that make some mistakes but I value the capacity of resolve it and this was very professional. It’s interesting mention the way that they explain the idea of rotate roles. This is very important and sometimes we pass on it so it’s interesting.

The game was again to meet each other but they introduce a new element, the ball. If we take into account that we are learning to teach children, use a ball is a very good idea because they know how to use it and I think that if the teacher want they could do another game after that so is helpful for the teacher. It was very fanny and I think is very positive.

-        DUMBELDORE TEACHER’S ARMY

First of all, and in a technique way, I don’t like the fact that the start the exposition with a prezi and then change to a power point because with this people could became quite confused. I think that they try to explain all in a professional way and this take them into a mix there was some desorganize, even they need to explain in Spanish because anybody understand the problems set, something that nobody talked before. There was some of the member that seems like more prepared, they know a little bit more than others.

The activity was interesting but for children it could be like homeworks. The idea it’s fantastic but I think that needs more “fun”. 

My comments about the presentations (Ayperi SAL)

We have made presentations about cooperative learning for two weeks and although the main topic was the same, each presentation was very original and creative. Congratulations to everyone !
These are my thoughts and comments about each group:

Amigos del Football

Each of the group members explained what is cooperative learning and how it is used. They were very fluent in their explanations. The power point presentation was well-organised and they touched upon the advantages and the difficulties of cooperative learning. The activity was enjoyable and suitable for cooperative learning. There were four questions about our hobbies and we answered the questions. The way they prepared the activity was creative and in coherence with the name of the group. The papers were in the shape of a football ball. After we answered the questions, we explained what we learned about our friends to the class. It was an enjoyable and successful presentation.

Team perk

One of the things I liked about the presentation is that they took the photograph of the classroom plans suitable for cooperative learning. Maybe they could pick some pictures from the internet but they prepared and took the photograph by themselves, which shows the traces of effort and creativity. They talked about the classroom rules for cooperative learning and prepared an activity about the classroom rules. We played it with a tenis ball. I think these kind of interesting materials can make the students interested in the topic and they can have a chance to make a revision of the topic by having fun.

Cronicas viajeras

The presentation was in coherence with the characteristics of their group name. They mention the characteristics that we should have as an individual in order to create a stres-free environment and also some behaviours that we should avoid in order not to create problems that may cause some negative results. The activity they prepared was meaningful and enjoyable. We chose an object important for us and share our memory about that object with our friends. By this way, we could learn many more things about our friends, which makes this activity very suitable for cooperative learning.

The unknowns

The presentation of this group was interesting and original. They prepared a presantation with Prezi and supported the ideas with visual images. There were also quotes about the aim of cooperative learning, which makes the presentation creative and attention-catching. The activity was based on knowing our classmates beter and learning about their likes, dislikes, the things they are good at and bad at. This kind of activity can be done in the first hour of a class to give the students a chance to know each other beter.

Dumbledore Teacher’s Army

This group prepared a Power Point presentation decorated in Harry Potter, which shows the characteristics of their group creatively. There was new information such as positive interdependence, which is one of the most important things in cooperative learning. Their activity was based on knowing our classmates beter by asking each other some questions about our personality.

Modern students

This group talked about new concepts important for cooperative learning such as communication, trust-building, leadership, decision-making and conflict management. We discussed and  thought about the importance of these concepts in a group. In my opinion, these characteristics are very important for the success of a group in cooperative learning. Because the main aim in cooperative learning is not only to learn and study, but also to improve social skills and communication. How we interact with our group members, how we solve the problems or how we build trust between each other are all about communication and social skills. What we learn in our group work will always be an important experience for us. The activity of this group also shows the importance of these concepts, I think. Each student had a sticker of different colours and we tried to find out other students that had the same colour of sticker without talking to each other. The key issue to be successful in this activity is the silent communication and interaction between the students. And they also said that this activity can be done in the first week of the class to be able to know the characteristics of the students. The competitive students probably will try to be successful individually while the cooperative students will help each other.

Wanderslust

I think this group’s presentation was the most successful one. The way of the presentation was very creative and enjoyable to watch. It was obvious that they gave much effort to prepare it. The presentation was planned well and all the group members spoke fluently. Their activity was focused highly on academic knowledge rather than playing just for fun.  This kind of activity can be used to make a revision of the subject at the end of the unit. To sum up, I liked the presentation very much. Good job!

My comments about cooperative learning projects

In general the project has been very attractive and all of my partners have worked efficiently, from my point of view we have achieved the goals set by the teacher.

Congratulations to everybody!

Amigos del football

Through a power point presentation they developed the method and how it can be used in classrooms. They presented many concepts and information, a fact that made it less clear than other presentations.

From my point of view the most important thing was to quote the advantages and difficulties, not disadvantages of working in a group. And the importance of rewarding all students and motivate them to those who do well to continue its good track record and to those who do wrong to help them improve. They emphasize how to create groups and rules as respect and participation are important.

Finally their activity was a good idea for the first day of class when no one is known, with a bullseye we could know more thing about our partners.

Team Perk

In my opinion the most important thing was the sheet evaluation that they designed to valuate the work group that develops in this methodology, because sometimes it is not easy to rate it. They also gave great importance to the rules that should be working in groups.

With actual photographs explained the different ways to organize the tables in class to achieve greater efficiency in the learning process, they show us how the environment is so important to give the objetives.

They propuse us a game, passing a tennis ball each other we had said a rule, finally we created them by the group.

Crónicas viajeras

Their presentation was short but very clear, this is very important to keep the attention of us.

They explain the method in a original way, through a trip, a tour. It has been one of the most entertaining presentations, they explained the contents of a simple and dynamic way. They set examples relating them with a plane, a museum or a suitcase.

Their activity was relation with the name of the group, we had to bring something from our travels, an special thing that remembered us good memories one trip and explain why, it is a different way to know each other.

Unknowns

They used prezi to explain the theory about cooperative learning, this program makes it a more dynamic and entertaining presentation. They focused on the main ideas omitting that theory that is not significant, a good way not to tire the listeners.

I liked how they worked the concept about rotate groups and the role of the teacher as a guide helping them to continue their role in the group and the learning process.

With a ball between all partners we should say things we like and what not, the objective was to get to know the rest of the class.

Dumbledore teacher’s army

Through a power point presentation they were based on a newspaper about Harry Potter, on this way they explained the theory of this method, it was an attractive and different way to do it. The teacher asked them a few questions and they resolve clearly.

They explained the advantages of cooperative learning, such how makes groups and a very important topic was how to evaluate students, individual and in groups, sometimes is very difficult to mark them in this theory.  

In pairs we had to do interviews to know each other better and then talk to the rest of the class about our partner.

Modern students

This group works the theory using posters with the main ideas of this methodology. This is a good way to explain it because you only focus in the most important things.

An interesting thing in this group was the tips for the teacher who works this methodology of teaching and learning, as can be found with some difficulties. They also develop the advantages of this method and the difficulties that we can find.

Their activity was very pleasant with stickers on the front. It showed us how with the help of other members of the group we can achieve our goals.

Wanderlust

This group was the last to present their project. It composes by only three people so they have had to make great efforts to make the presentation. In my opinion was the best presentation and the most original, It makes you to be watching the display, something very important in an activity of this type. They also showed great language skills in public speaking, something I value it seems to me complicated.

They developed the project through videos made by them, and funny sequences to explain the theory of cooperative learning, drawings… It was a fun way to explain it. They showed us the types of teams works that can be forms and techniques.

They proposed us as activity that we summarize in a few words, only foru or five sentences what was the most important thing to us. It was a very good idea as a summary for the class as they have been the last group, some that may be more boring than others groups but it was practice and conclusive to close this project about cooperative learning.

María Jiménez ;)

OUR ACTIVITY

Our activity is related with suitcase technique but instead of suitcases we have boxes.

First of all we prepare all the materials so we need 10 boxes because we have 10 counties, two per continent. Into each box we put two photos about two important monuments and two more about two typical meals with their recipe.

Then we divided the class into ten groups taking into account the different material that they need: laptop, colour pencil, scissors, glue... Each group take a table and then we explain the activity. The idea of it was look for each country and then share the information to create a cooperative learning to get it, each group should look for more information and decorate the box with draws, a mosaic… where ever they want.

We decided to choose this activity because through it children improve their creativity and some skills too like the capacity of listen others opinion or ideas, look for information on internet, agree with other members… 

COOPRATIVE LEARNING

Cooperative learning is a method that is widely used nowadays. This method aims to change the traditional methods in which the teacher has all the authority and responsibility. In order to foster good working  relationship between students and in order not to create a competitive learning environment, Cooperative Learning is used in more and more classes today.

       The teacher should know his/her students

The first and most important step of cooperative learning is forming the groups. Groups shold be formed heterogeneously. However, if a teacher doesn’t know about his/her students (their level, personality, motivation etc.) well, he or she can’t form the groups properly. Consequently, the teacher’s observation about the students plays an important role for cooperative learning.

       An important beginning: forming the groups

The groups must be made of different type of students so that they can affect each other, make balance and share different ideas. The teacher should observe the students, learn the students who are shy and sociable and put them in the same group. In this way, shy students will be more confident to participate in the activities and sociable students will help the other students. They will succeed or fail all together so this will make them feel responsible for the other group mebers as well, which is the main goal in Cooperative Learning.

      Students should know each other

Not only the teacher should know his/her students but also the students know each other. The groups are formed heterogeniously, they probably won’t know each other and have something much in common at the beginning. But the relationship between them also will affect their work and cooperation skills. Individual accountability and positive interdepence is important to be able to learn in cooperation and these two important qualification can be maintained if the group members foster good working relationship and get on well with each other.

      Teacher is not the only person who does all the work in the class

In traditional education system, the teacher always comes to the class, teaches the subject of the course, talks and the students just listen passively. The teacher is the only person who does the work. With cooperative learning, this system starts to change. The students work together and they are active in the class. The teacher’s duty is to observe, help, stimulate and guide the students.

     Teacher as a guide in cooperative learning

The fact that the students are the people who work in the class actively doesn’t mean that the teacher just watch passively. Although it is the students who are active in the class, the role of the teacher plays an important part in cooperative learning. The teacher should observe the students closely, solve the problems, guide the students and be able to catch the attention of the students with colourful materials and enjoyable tasks.

We understand the different tecniques like:

Peer Tutoring

It is a strategy that is tailored to individual differences based on a didactic relationship between the participants. It supports the collaboration between one student that demand or need help and other one who is qualified to give it. In this technique it is udes in pairs and not in small groups.

Jigsaw

It enables each student of a "home" group to specialize in one aspect of a topic (for example, one group studies habitats of rainforest animals, another group studies predators of rainforest animals). Students meet with members from other groups who are assigned the same aspect, and after mastering the material, return to the "home" group and teach the material to their group members.

 

Teams Assisted Individualization

It combines cooperative learning with individual learning. All students work on the same, but each follows a specific, personalized program depending on your needs.

Students should help each other to achieve the personal objectives of each team member.

Teams - Games Tournaments

The TGT has three basic elements: equipment, tournaments and games. The operation of the method is as follows: the teacher explains the subject to the class and then work in teams mentoring relationship explained the material in order to prepare for the various sessions of play within form tournaments where each student students compete against other teams. 

Group-Investigation

The teacher chooses a topic and the different subtopics. In this way, each group choose a subtopic and work with it.

Once that the groups are formed, the teacher became into a helper, a person how take part into the investigation only when the groups are lose, confused, wrong…

Finally they present their work to the rest of the class and all together, teacher and the rest of students, put the mark.