1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Gifted Children

Cooperative Learning

By Carol Bainbridge, About.com

Definition: Cooperative learning is a method of instruction that has students working together in groups, usually with the goal of completing a specific task. This method can help students develop leadership skills and the ability to work with others as a team. However, gifted students are often placed in groups with non-gifted children, sometimes with the goal of having the gifted student help the others, either directly or by example. In these instances, the gifted student is not likely to learn anything new, while the non-gifted students are not likely to develop any leadership skills.

Cooperative learning can be a problem for introverts whose learning style is more independent and who prefer to work alone.

Explore Gifted Children

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Parenting & Family
  3. Gifted Children
  4. Gifted 101
  5. Glossary
  6. Definition of Cooperative Learning -- What is Cooperative Learning?

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.