Collaboration and cooperation are the essential pillars for better learning. In this era of competitive arena, the students should be well equipped with the individual as well as group skills. There are a number of learning methods which can pave the way for thriving cooperation and coordination skills. Considering the versatility of ideas and thoughts, the students should be encouraged to participate and express ideas and views to others. The facilitator role is very much vital for providing learners to get rid escape from self-creating silos and motivating them to participate. In this context, there are a number of participatory techniques available; however, selection of the most appropriate technique/s according to the situation is very much critical.
In a teaching learning process, it is very decisive to make the learning process engaging and interesting. In this context, there are number of cooperative learning methods/techniques to facilitate both sides teacher and taught (students). Among these cooperative methods/techniques, here are some glimpses of two conspicuous learning methods/techniques with sparkling benefits in terms of participation and achieving learning outcomes. These two prominent learning methods are Jigsaw method and Think-Pair-Share.
Just imagine you are going to teach in the scenario of classroom where the students are feeling tired after continuous classes. They are complaining about the severity of weather condition etc. …. Despite of the genuine reasons…. It also seems they are entangled in their minds with various thoughts of shirking from learning process. Jigsaw technique appears as potion and antidote in the peculiar and similar perplexed situation. The learning process may be kicked off (started) and the scrupulous results would be there.
I had witnessed a fabulous engagement on the part of participants in the learning process through this (Jigsaw) method. The division of main topic into subtopics makes the task easier to encompass. The strengths appear embedded in this technique are peer interaction in primary (Home) group, role as experts, interaction as experts, enhancing learning from others. actively engaging emerged as the real essence of this method/technique.
Dividing the participants into small groups enhances the interaction. The pattern of interaction is so beautifully designed that participants in Home group (having each one sub topic try to be expert). The point of interest over here is that the participants are not confined only to their Home groups. They are also involved and they can avail the opportunity to share ideas with other groups members (experts). This looks a beautiful gratification of integration to disintegration for sake of learning as a real destination.
The energy level during the activity within the Home group and within the Expert group is a positive notion of learning through active participation. The momentum reflects in making Home sub groups and transformation into Experts groups then again reverting back to the Home groups. It also helps to stir up the feelings for learning and getting rid of the static and becoming dynamic through physical movements and changing the position.
There is another effective cooperative learning i.e. Think-Pair-Share. Usually, we are facing a common challenge of involving and engaging the students. In this regard, this method is having multipronged benefits of thinking as individual, interacting with peer and interaction at larger level.
At first step, this learning technique triggers think individually and relying upon oneself for generating ideas, opinions etc. it paves the way building confidence and think independently. It also facilitates the process of creativity. In the second step, pairing with the fellow not only provides an opportunity to break the shell of isolation but also to interact with peer. It also opens avenues for exchanging the ideas on one-on-one basis and bettering the coordination, collaboration and cooperation. In pairing, the counterparts can understand diversified angels and perspectives. At the third step, sharing with other fellows at larger level further strengthen and reinforce the force of expression. It is a way to express and giving exposures. It broadens the spectrum to share with other participants.
Superficially, it seems difficult to stir up and trigger the process of active learning. The students usually avoid to think about some given task or topic. If it is done it seems uphill task to express/share with others. There is a dire need to involve and encourage the students towards self-thinking and sharing. In this regard, Think-Pair-Share technique can smoothen the way for better learning. The thriving forces in this technique are creativity blended with sharing with others to multiply benefits. Think-Pair-Share is a beautiful technique that facilitate the active learning process by stepwise unfolding ideas through intra personal communication and reflecting the ideas in the form of dyadic communication (between two) and then expanding the area of expression to other fellows in the class. It reinforces and strengthens the force of expression like blooming of flower from inside towards outside.
As effective learning is the real destination and a teacher should go the extra mile for making the learning effective. Effective learning process is not a piece of cake rather it is uphill task, so both teacher and taught (students) should be on the ball in the learning process. Keeping in view the diversification among the students, the participatory learning techniques/methods can be used. Comparing apples with oranges is not the judicious way in the scenario of diversification. Sitting on the fence with hesitation and avoidance to opt towards student centered learning is not the solution. The reason is quite obvious, by ensuring the students’ engagement and involvement in the given tasks, the augmentation of learning can be achieved. Participatory learning techniques like Jigsaw method and Think-Pair-Share can give positive and fruitful results. However, skillful use is a basic requisite of these techniques for the acquisition of maximum learning outputs. With the perspective of students, these learning techniques contributes towards active learning, cooperation, coordination, interaction, better communication etc. The role of teacher is important as real facilitator and a good observer to get maximum output.
This article is a humble effort to ponder upon and highlight the significance of these two beautiful cooperative learning techniques. There is a lot of information available in the form of relevant web links and video pertinent to these cooperative learning techniques (Jigsaw Method and Think-Pair-Share). By consulting the relevant material from various sources like internet, one can apply these techniques easily and in a better manner. Moreover, with the passage of time, exercise and application of these methods will contribute to make the facilitator more dexterous and skillful for the acquisition of more learning benefits and accomplishing learning goals.
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