Project Ko-divers

Designing cooperative learning to be sensitive to diversity and effective for learning

Cooperative learning (CL) makes it possible to effectively promote both subject-specific and cross-curricular learning whilst taking individual learning needs into account. In this approach, learning takes place collaboratively – ideally as a co-construction – whereby diversity can be utilized as an educational resource. Empirical research shows, however, that implementing this in the classroom presents complex challenges and is rarely successful. This is where the planned collaborative project ‘Ko-divers’ comes in. Using a design-based research approach, it aims to develop, through an evaluation-based process, a learning-effective and diversity-sensitive teaching concept for CL that is suitable for addressing the discrepancy between empirically proven effectiveness and poor implementation. This will take place within the framework of research-practice partnerships between researchers, teachers at primary schools identified as inclusive, and the education authorities in three federal states. Using a mixed-methods design and taking general studies as an example, the scientific evaluation will examine the a) quality of implementation, b) learning effectiveness, and c) diversity sensitivity of the concept. The results will be integrated with practical experience across three iterations to improve the concept. This will ultimately be transferred into school practice and teacher training via the established transfer structures of the cooperation partners, and disseminated as part of a closing event.

Selected publications

• Adl-Amini, K., Völlinger, V. & Eckhart, A. (2023). Implementation quality of cooperative learning and teacher beliefs — a mixed methods study. European Journal of Psychology of Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10212-023-00769-3
• Adl-Amini, K., & Völlinger, V. (2024). Welche Potenziale und Herausforderungen bietet kooperatives Lernen in heterogenen Klassen?. Lehren & Lernen, 50(3), S. 16‒19.