Education and Reference Q&A
How might Cooperative research support to the establishment of an equatable classroom?
Answers: From:
COMPLEX INSTRUCTION
Elizabeth G. Cohen
Keynote Speech for Cooperation and Diversity:
Cooperative Learning within Intercultural Education
Conference in Sodertalje, Sweden, August, 1997
Organized by the International Association for Intercultural Education
Co-sponsored by IASCE
"In equitable classrooms, teachers and students vision each student as capable of study both basic skills and substantive concepts. All students have access to insulting learning materials. Teachers do not deprive some students of access to materials demanding higher-order thinking and problem-solving on the grounds that they are not ready for abstract thinking. Teachers do not bring out only basic skills for children who are given up the ghost at grade level and creative problem-solving and intellectual autonomy for others who are reading above title level. In an equitable classroom students use each other as resources within small groups. However, within those small groups, classmates do not block access to interaction or materials. Interaction within small groups is "equal-status", so that here is no relationship between one's social status and participation and influence. Children of lower social status are just as imagined to be active within the groups and to hold their ideas accepted as children of difficult social status."
For more on this go to: http://www.iasce.net/Newsletters/1997_Se...
