Which teaching strategy emphasizes collaboration among students?

Cooperative learning is a teaching strategy that emphasizes collaboration among students, promoting teamwork and social interaction in the learning process. This approach involves students working together in small groups to achieve common learning goals, allowing them to share ideas, support one another, and refine their understanding of the material collectively. By engaging in cooperative tasks, students not only enhance their academic skills but also develop important interpersonal skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and leadership.

In contrast, independent study focuses on individual learning where students work on tasks alone, hindering opportunities for collaboration. Direct instruction involves a teacher-centered approach with explicit teaching methods where students are guided through learning by the instructor, often limiting peer interaction. Competitive assessments create a scenario where students are pitted against one another rather than fostering a sense of cooperation, which can inhibit collaboration and create a less supportive learning environment. Thus, cooperative learning stands out as the strategy that significantly builds collaborative skills among students.