Module 2
Individual and Group Accountability
In this module, you will find out about the roles students play in cooperative learning. The roles can be varied and you can even create your own, but the basic roles will be discussed in this module. You can start with the paragraph below and follow along. The module will be complete at the end with the role play activity.
The next step is to watch this video.
In the video presented, teachers model the roles of a cooperative environment during their Professional Learning Community meeting. (PLC)
Group Accountability
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In order to keep groups accountable for their work and make sure that everyone participates, it is essential that the students in the group have roles. In the section below, we will review each of the roles.
Facilitator
The main role of the facilitator is to lead the group into whatever challenge is set forth. The facilitator helps the group to know what to do and also to communicate with the teacher. Keeps group on task and verifies that all contribute.
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Resource Manager
The resource manager is in charge of all materials. This is a huge responsibility because they are in charge of turning in any projects and making sure everything is clean for the next class as well. Picks up, distributes, collects, turns in, or puts away materials.
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Time Keeper/ Scribe
This person will keep time and will also be writing anything that needs to be written. (The reason this person has two roles is because keeping time does not greatly contribute to the group.)
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Techie / Reporter
Shares summary of group with large group. Speaks for the group, not just personal view. This person also takes care of all the technology and looks up any online resources as needed.
Individual Accountability
In order to keep students accountable, it is important to sometimes give individual assignments or assessments. Also, the team can rate each other on effectiveness and contribution. When all of the work is placed on a team, it becomes harder to gauge who is doing what work. The teacher must become creative and find ways to assess. Constant monitoring/facilitating can help to alleviate any issues.
Role Play Activity
This is the last part of module 3. In this activity you will work together as a group to complete a lesson plan. Any lesson plan will do and it does not need to be extensive. While completing this challenge make sure that everyone in the group has a role and that there is also individual accountability for everyone.
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Summary
In this module, you have learned about the roles that are used in cooperative learning. Applying these roles to the groups in your classroom and also practicing them in your PLC's will help all of the groups to become more effective and also distribute responsibility.
Click on the following link to go to Module 3
