Overview
Students learn in a variety of settings and environments. Group learning creates an environment of engagement and motivation. It gives students a chance to learn from each other in a cooperative learning setting. The arrangement and layout of the classroom should provide opportunities to work productively and cooperatively to achieve learning goals. Teachers not only work together to build curriculum but also to create positive and productive learning environments.
This assignment will help inform the sixth section of your classroom management plan, “Cooperative Learning Environments.”
Part 1: Cooperative Learning Exploration
Imagine your grade level or content area team is composed of multiple members in their first year of teaching. Using the topic Resources and your own research, create an 8-10 slide digital presentation for the new teachers on best practices for creating a safe and productive classroom environment that promotes student collaboration. Include the following in your presentation:
- Describe safety considerations when designing the physical layout of a classroom.
- Discuss how the use of visuals/charts can support classroom functions and create a safe, productive learning experience.
- Explain how cooperative learning can motivate and engage students. Identify two different cooperative learning strategies that can be implemented in the classroom.
- Discuss considerations when setting up a classroom to ensure equitable access to materials and activities for all students.
- Identify at least two barriers teachers may encounter when designing an inclusive, accessible classroom that promotes student collaboration. Discuss solutions to potential barriers.
- Include your classroom layout from Part 2 of this assignment as an example. This can be built directly into the presentation or in another tool and then inserted as an image.
Part 2: Classroom Layout Design
Use a free tool (e.g., PowerPoint, Canva, Prezi) to design a classroom for the grade level selected in the Topic 3 Classroom Management Plan Rough Draft that focuses on creating opportunities for collaboration and communication through cooperative learning while also being a safe and equitable learning space for all students. Your classroom design should include:
- Classroom layout (i.e., where the desks/tables will be placed, library, manipulatives, visuals/charts, etc.) that facilitates collaborative learning through multiple modes and forms of communication .
- Resources and technological tools, and where they will be located.
- Management of the use of space during learning to support a safe learning environment.
- Equal access to the room’s resources and technological tools for students of all ability levels. Consider how you will place resources to support independence and group learning.
Part 3: Reflection
Write a 150-200 word reflection on your classroom design. Include the following in your reflection:
- Explain how your classroom design expands students' ability to collaborate and communicate through multiple modes and forms of communication.
- Explain how your classroom design is safe and equitable for all students.
Support your deliverable with a minimum of two scholarly resources.
Submit the digital presentation, including your classroom layout, and reflection.
While APA Style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies and professional standards:
BS in Elementary Education
BS in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in English as a Second Language
BS in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in STEM
BS in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Teaching Reading
BS in Elementary Education with an Emphasis in Christian Education
3.6: Expand students' ability to collaborate and communicate through multiple modes and forms of communication. [InTASC 8(h), 8(m), 8(q); TPE 4.7; Mission Critical 2]
BS in Elementary Education and Special Education
3.4: Expand students' ability to collaborate and communicate through multiple modes and forms of communication. [InTASC 8(h), 8(m), 8(q); TPE 4.7; Mission Critical 2]