The construction industry can be metaphorically compared to a chain, where if one link fails, the entire chain breaks.

One of these vital chains is cooperative learning. Cooperative learning is a learning approach that emphasizes collaborative interaction among learners in small groups to achieve shared learning goals. It involves structuring activities in a way that students work together in a cooperative manner to complete tasks, solve problems, or learn new concepts.

In the context of engineering students, cooperative learning acts as a crucial link in the construction of their knowledge and skills. Just as a chain relies on each link to support the weight and integrity of the whole structure, cooperative learning plays a pivotal role in the development and success of engineering students. Furthermore, cooperative learning fosters the development of crucial skills necessary for engineering students. These skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication.

In the construction industry, various components need to come together seamlessly for a project to be completed successfully. Similarly, in cooperative learning, students must work together effectively, leveraging each other’s strengths and knowledge to achieve their shared learning goals. Each student’s contribution is like a link in the chain, essential for the collective understanding and progress of the entire group.

Connection to Learning Blueprint

In the development of the learning plan focusing on the selection of building materials, cooperative learning is an essential piece to include. After school, an engineering degree consists of collaboration in all work completed, and thus is it vital to include projects and assessments that focus on teamwork and the ability for small groups to apply their learnings to one another to achieve common goals.

This will be increasingly important in the grand scheme of choosing a building material for a specific project. It is easy for one person to be biased towards a certain project, even if it is not the best for the job, and by introducing cooperative learning the personal biases can be removed and a discussion can be utilized.