What is an instructional strategy that encourages students to work together in small groups?

• A. Cooperative learning
• B. Differentiated instruction
• C. Scaffolding
• D. Experiential learning

Answer: (A)

Cooperative learning is an instructional strategy that explicitly promotes collaboration among students in small groups to accomplish shared learning goals. This method emphasizes the value of teamwork, where students engage in discussion, share ideas, and support each other’s learning processes. The framework often includes specific roles for each group member, making the learning experience more interactive and allowing for diverse perspectives to be incorporated. This approach not only helps students learn from one another but also develops important social skills, enhances peer relationships, and leads to a deeper understanding of the material through collaborative effort.

Differentiated instruction, while also important in meeting diverse student needs, focuses more on tailoring teaching methods and resources to accommodate individual learning styles rather than promoting teamwork among students. Scaffolding involves providing support and gradually increasing independence in learning tasks, and experiential learning focuses on learning through experience, typically in real-world situations. These strategies, although effective in their own contexts, do not specifically emphasize the collaborative aspect inherent in cooperative learning.