What is the Kagan method?

This model assumes that most teachers utilize direct instruction and then turn to the class for a question-and-answer portion. Usually, a few students answer the questions while the majority of the class remains disengaged. Kagan cooperative learning ensures that every student is actively involved.

What is cooperative learning according to Kagan?

Cooperative Learning is a teaching arrangement that refers to small, heterogeneous groups of students working together to achieve a common goal (Kagan, 1994). Students work together to learn and are responsible for their teammates’ learning as well as their own.

What is numbered heads strategy in teaching?

Numbered Heads Together is a cooperative learning strategy that holds each student accountable for learning the material. Students are placed in groups and each person is given a number (from one to the maximum number in each group).

What is round robin strategy?

The Round Robin strategy is a brainstorming strategy where students are situated around a table in an academic discussion. However, with this strategy, there is equal participation among students as well as multiple discussions taking place.

What is a Kagan classroom?

Kagan cooperative learning is built on a single tenet: engagement. When students are engaged and motivated, “learning sticks.” In a Kagan classroom, all students must be engaged and accountable. There are, however, an overwhelming number of Kagan structures, and if you can’t afford to attend expensive workshops, implementation may be difficult.

What is the value of a Kagan course?

Even so, Kagan has value because it provides scripts that might make facilitating cooperative learning easier for educators, especially new teachers. There is a dizzying array of Kagan workshops offered around the country, and they’re expensive.

Do Kagan’s cooperative learning structures work?

No studies were found that specifically investigate Kagan’s Cooperative Learning Structures. In each case, the achievement levels were significantly higher when cooperative learning methods were used as compared to individualistic or competitive methods of learning. Grouping is essential to cooperative learning.

Is Kagan’s structure effective for inclusion of students with special needs?

While social skills are included in Kagan’s structures, this pre-teaching of skills for students with behavior disorders would enhance the success of the method. These findings have relevance to the general classroom teacher faced with implementing inclusion of students with special needs.