Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Exam

Which instructional strategy involves students actively working together?

1. Inquiry Method

2. Whole Group Discussion

3. Cooperative Learning

4. Direct Instruction

The correct answer is: Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is an instructional strategy grounded in the premise that students learn best when they engage with their peers in structured ways. This approach promotes collaboration and teamwork, allowing students to work together toward a common goal or task. In cooperative learning, students are often divided into small groups where they can share ideas, support one another's learning, and take on specific roles within the group. This active participation not only enhances understanding of the material but also develops critical social skills such as communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. While the inquiry method involves students exploring questions and problems, it does not inherently emphasize working together as a structured group effort. Whole group discussion allows for collective engagement but is typically characterized by a teacher-led format rather than active collaboration among students. Direct instruction, on the other hand, is a more teacher-centered approach that focuses on the transmission of knowledge from the teacher to students, rather than fostering peer interaction. Thus, cooperative learning stands out as the strategy explicitly designed to promote active collaboration among students.