Learning Focus

Preferred Learning Styles

The main pupil learning focus within our NLC is the development of a consistent pedagogy across all of the schools within the community. This is intended to create an environment which delivers much greater continuity and progression within individual schools, across schools and across the different phases of education.

Following work previously undertaken within the Education Action Zone and research into learning styles it was decided to develop Co-operative Learning as the preferred pedagogy.

Co-operative Learning

Co-operative Learning is a thoroughly researched and highly effective method of teaching that is now well over 25 years old. There are many parallel strands of research and innovation that have seen the development of many variations on the theme. However there are certain essential ingredients which are common to all of the various approaches. Background research can be seen in the Co-operative Learning section.

"Nothing we learn is more important than the skills required to work co-operatively with others. Most human interaction is co-operative. Without some skills in co-operating effectively it is difficult, if not impossible to maintain a marriage, hold a job or be part of a community, society or world." 

(Johnson, D.W., Johnson, R.T. et al, Co-operating in the Classroom)

The two main purposes for co-operative learning are the same irrespective of the style or approached used: improved academic attainment and increased interpersonal skills.