Cooperative Learning: Successful Integration of Theory, Research, and Practice

Abstract

Cooperative learning is a classic example of the interaction among theory, research, and practice. It is based on social interdependence theory, whose basic premise is that the way in which goals are structured determines how individuals interact which, in turn, creates outcomes. Over 750 research studies have been conducted in the past eleven decades on the relative merits of cooperative, competitive, and individualistic efforts and the conditions under which each is appropriate. These studies have validated, modified, refined, and extended the theory. Social interdependence theory has been widely applied, especially in education. The applications have resulted in revisions of the theory and the generation of considerable new research.