The
cooperative learning plan, while it seems valuable in certain situations, does
not seem to me to always be the most appropriate, or best, sorting choice. For starters, it seems to do nothing more
than allow students to work on low-level tasks, such as worksheets,
together. These techniques will not
solve any of the problems tracking and ability grouping face with the quality
of instruction given the classroom. Also,
with projects such as these, I find it rather probable that the high-track
students will take up most of the work, as many would rather finish the
assignment than spend the time and effort guiding the lower-tracked students
through the process. Cooperative
learning could be most effective with the high-achieving students when used in
conjunction with ability grouping, but does not seem to solve many of the
dilemmas tracking and ability grouping cause in the education of the lower
tracks.