To understand cooperative learning, we must understand its parts. "Cooperation" occurs when two or more people work together to accomplish shared goals. "Learning" occurs when people gain knowledge. Learning goals are desired states of demonstrating competence or accomplishing mastery level in a subject area being studied. Now, let's put all of this together. Cooperative learning happens when students work together to gain knowledge to accomplish learning goals. In order for students to practice cooperative learning, they must do everything found in the graphic organizer below. First, students must have a positive perspective of working with others. Teachers can help students practice positive interdependence just by having many group activities in the classroom. Getting acquainted activities also assist students to have a better perspective of depending on others. Students must also have individual accountability, which can be gained with seat-work or individual work during class. Equal participation is a skill that can be gained during class discussion as well as simultaneous interaction. Performance based assessments utilize cooperative learning, such as group projects. Group presentations also utilize cooperative learning.