Which of the following is not a principle of co-operative learning?

Option 3 : Developing reciprocity

The cooperative learning model was developed to achieve at least three important instructional goals: academic achievement, acceptance of diversity and social skill development (through teamwork). This is a specific small group approach that incorporates democratic processes, individual accountability, equal opportunity and group rewards. A number of types of cooperative learning activities and models are frequently used in today’s classroom such as student teams achievement divisions, jigsaw and group investigation. Principles of Cooperative Learning:

• Positive Interdependence: It includes sharing a common team goal/objective, sharing common resources, creating a common identity for a group (for example a name for the group selected by members) and so on. The emphasis is on positive emotions and attitude reflected through helping, encouraging each other.
• Individual Accountability: It is important that there is a task for each one and also there is some task to be completed as a group together. For example, different team members can be given responsibilities to collect different items like pebbles, fallen leaves, articles made from rubber etc. but then the whole group must be responsible for putting the collection in order. The team together can also decide a name for their collection.
• Equal Status Interactions among the team members is essential for smooth teamwork. Your role as the facilitator is to check that students treat each other with respect. You, as the teacher, need to be sensitive, and handle the situation skillfully. Knowing every student well is important for bringing about equal status interactions among group members in your class.

Hence, we conclude that Developing reciprocity is not a principle of co-operative learning.