I can only be successful only if I end up doing better than you
Only I should be THE best
I tend to be more focused on myself than on others
= me instead of you
Individualistic
When is thinking and acting as an individual important?
There is no relation between you achieving your goals and me achieving mine
My success is dependent on the success or failures of others
I am only accountable to myself
= me alone
Cooperative
When are cooperative skills necessary?
I can attain my goal only if you can attain yours
Success will be reached if all members of the group is successful
Group's success is dependent on the equal effort put by its members to get the work done
'Me' becomes part of a 'we'
= we as well as me
Source: Cooperative Learning, where hearts meets mind. Barrie Bennett, Carol Rolheiser, Laurie Stevahn
''Teachers should use all three...in an integrated way, and students should be taught the skills necessary to function in all three types of situations.'' (Johnson, Circles of learning: cooperative in the classroom)