Cooperative Learning

I have just begun to research cooperative learning. I remember getting wonderful cooperative learning ideas in the past that I implemented in my classroom such as think-pair-share and jigsaw. According to research done by Richard M. Felder and Rebecca Brent, cooperative learning is not just a way of grouping students together, but it must involve positive interdependence, individual accountability, face-to-face promotive interaction, appropriate use of collaborative skills, and group processing.

Some people argue that cooperative learning is ineffective because some members are actively engaged while others are not. Teachers must plan activities that encourage all students to participate in the group. Each student must have an important role to the functioning of the group. For younger students, this involves more hands-on activities as this is developmentally age appropriate. Students also need to be taught how to work in groups by constantly modeling this as well as assisting groups while they are working.

This is what I have found so far... I would appreciate any thoughts on this matter including what has worked for you or not worked for you.