Cooperative Learning - NIE Digital Repository - National Institute of ...

REACT, Vol. 22, No. 2 (December 2003) pp. 83-89ONanyang Technological University & National Instihte of EducationCooperative Learning: Buildi~igStrong Teams for InternationalService-Learning ProjectsGeorge Jacobs and Vilma D'RozarioIntroductionCooperative learning and service-learning both encourage students toreach out beyond themselves for the benefit of all. Cooperative learning isa teaching methodology that offers "principles and techniques for helpingstudents work together more effectively" (Jacobs, Power and Loh, 2002,p. ix). Service-learning seeks to involve students in service to others at thesame time that students learn important insights, skills and knowledgein line with the curriculum of their educational institution (Eyler andGiles, 1999).This paper opens with a description of a service-learning project inSikkim in which NIE (National Institute of Education, Singapore) studentsparticipated. Following that, the fit between cooperative learning and service-learningis discussed. Finally, a few implications for Singapore teachersare suggested.Service-Learning and Cooperative Learning in Action:The Case of NIE Students in SikkimIn June 2003, two NIE-SIF (Singapore International Foundation) YouthExpedition Project teams embarked on an unforgettable adventure-towork with the children, teachers and community of East Sikkim. Below isa description of what our goals were, who we were, how we workedtogether and what we achieved.'