What are the basic principles of Kagan Cooperative Learning? Why do we need basic principles?
The basic principles of good cooperative learning are that: 1) The learning task promotes teamwork and students experience themselves as being on the same side; 2) Each student is held accountable for their individual contribution; 3) Students participate about equally; and 4) Many students are engaged at once. These simple principles ensure students will cooperate, that each will make an independent contribution, and that all students participate about equally and participate a great deal. They are important because if we leave them out, students can hide — they can take a free ride allowing others to do the work. In the traditional classroom, participation is voluntary. Many students, for whatever reasons, simply do not participate. When the principles are in place, all students become intensely engaged.
