| A cooperative classroom is set up in much the same way as a mathematical reform classroom. The students are obviously the center of the class. The teacher is nothing more than a guide through the process. The students are given the freedom to interact with each other without the fear of being harassed by a student or the teacher. The teacher must be willing to give up some control in a cooperative classroom. The students should have more power to make decisions about how they learn the material in a lesson. The classroom environment is the key to any good cooperative learning class. The students must feel safe and free to make their own decisions and express their opinions. This may be somewhat difficult for the teacher to deal with, because it means an extreme loss of control of the process of learning. However, by implementing a cooperative class, the teacher allows his/her students to learn and understand the material to a greater depth than ever before. |
| Physical Environment in a Cooperative Classroom |
| * Desks and/or tables arranged in groups for the team work that will take place in the class * Examples of the students work hanging all over the classroom * The students in the center of the classroom for a student centered environent * Resources available to students throughout the classroom * Student talking and discussing group and/or team work * The teacher is walking or talking freely with their students about the task or goals for the day * Student learning and understanding is taking place |