Institute/Session Summary:

Purpose:

This cooperative learning workshop will provide college reading instructors with three separate activities that incorporate active learning (specifically cooperative learning) strategies.

Relevance to CRLA Members:

Cooperative Learning has been recognized by Developmental Studies programs as a vital, dynamic, and effective approach to teaching. We know that contemporary college students are most responsive to teaching approaches that engage them fully in the learning process. Cooperative Learning strategies are very effective at engaging the learners, especially in our highly diverse 21st century classrooms. A large portion of CRLA membership includes college developmental reading instructors. It is primarily for these participants we have designed this workshop. However, we believe the activities we will demonstrate will provide ideas for implementation in fields other than reading, particularly for instructors of developmental writing and composition.

Objectives:

Participants in this workshop will:

1. Experience cooperative learning activities as a learner, thus providing dynamic insight into the value of using this approach to teaching.
2. Take home teaching materials for immediate classroom application, including a handout for each of the three activities, detailing the steps in planning and implementation of these specific activities in their own classes.
3. Learn about the research-based evidence of the effectiveness of cooperative learning, through reference materials, including an article by Roger T. and David W. Johnson, An Overview of Cooperative Learning, and a bibliography on the topic.

Knowledge and Experience of Session Facilitators:

The activities will be facilitated by three experienced full-time STC Developmental Reading instructors who use these activities regularly (and refine and update them continuously). The activities that have been chosen are those that have been effective in helping students grasp complex reading comprehension skills and concepts that are new to them, and which present a challenge to learning. South Texas College emphasizes the use of active learning in the classroom. Our Developmental Studies division has required and provided training sessions in cooperative learning since 2002. All three facilitators of this workshop session have attended onsite training and conference workshops by Janet Elder, Ph. D., and division-wide training on cooperative learning by recognized national experts. One facilitator recently participated in an intensive 2-day training in problem-based learning.

Experience and Credentials of Facilitators:

All three workshop facilitators have the M. Ed. In Reading and have the Texas professional Reading Specialist certification. They present a combined 30+ years experience in teaching reading to adult learners. Media and Instructional Materials Materials will include handouts on each activity (see objective 2 above) for immediate use in the classroom, reference materials and bibliography regarding Cooperative Learning as a research-based field of learning. A brief powerpoint presentation will be used at the introduction of the workshop, and will be incorporated into each activity. We have requested the appropriate equipment for this dimension of the session.

BRIEF OUTLINE OF SESSION

• Introduction to Cooperative Learning:
• Origins of cooperative learning, research, reasons for use in college reading
• Activity 1: Note-taking; Vocabulary Building; Main Idea
• Activity 2: The Flip-Side of Inferences
• Activity 3: Patterns of Organization
• Participant Reflection and Discussion
• Workshop Summary/Evaluation

Presenter1 Name: Joyce Hamilton
Presenter1 Institution:South Texas College
Presenter1 Bio: BS Elementary Education  1977
M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction (Adult Education) 1979
Reading Specialist certification: 1987
5 years full-time faculty with South Texas College, Developmental Reading department
12 years experience as Regional Director of Adult Education for Planning District 16, Virginia
Instructor at Austin Community College (1970's and 80's)

Presenter2 Name: Adalia Reyna
Presenter2 Institution: South Texas College
Presenter2 Bio: Educator for 16 years.  Taught elementary students while working on Masters in Reading.  After earning Masters in Reading, worked as instructional coach, training teachers and administrators in the area of curriculum and instruction.  Now teaching reading to college students at STC, since 1998.

Presenter3 Name: Tammi Naumann
Presenter3 Institution: South Texas College
Presenter3 Bio: BA English & BA in Education, Concordia College, Bronxville, NY 
M. Ed. in Reading, University of Texas Pan American, Edinburg, TX
Has worked at STC since 1995, teaching both Developmental Reading and Developmental English