Research has shown that using cooperative learning teams in the classroom is beneficial to students because it

1) promotes higher achievement,

2) improves critical thinking competencies,

3) fosters more positive attributes, and

4) develops important social and collaborative skills for students.

Just putting students in groups doesn't guarantee they'll work together effectively. Cooperative groups should be structured to promote positive student interdependence among group members and individual accountability for each student.

Creating Positive Interdependence

To create positive independence - give each group member a specific role and responsibility. (See "Investment Committee” In the next section.) It is important for each member to know he/she is not only responsible for his/her role in the group but also for any other actions the group takes. Each group member has the responsibility to learn the assigned material, as well as helping others in the group learn it, too.

The Investment Committee assignments are only suggestions for team member responsibilities. Some of these roles can be combined or performed by all team members. It is also recommended that students exchange roles throughout the Game.

Team members can compliment each other with skills and aptitudes. Put a good math student with one who might "assist" and use computation skills in the process. A slower reader may be able to find details in the financial pages of the newspaper. Allow a quiet student an opportunity to be in a responsible position with the team. Mix personality types so that in the course of the simulation interpersonal skills can be applied as students decide, persuade, and explain their strategies of stock selection and investment moves.