Video: Local High School Uses New Creative Teaching Method

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BY SHELBY ANDERTON

NOXUBEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Noxubee County High School is using a new teaching method called “cooperative learning” and rising test scores prove it’s effective.

Students and teachers have swapped roles at Noxubee County High School.

Students use “cooperative learning” to teach their peers about different subjects.

It all started four years ago when Biology teacher, Carrie White, began letting her students teach class once a week.

“I introduced cooperative learning for the first time and I have truly seen kids that would have never taken the chance reach far and beyond and they have out reached my expectations,” said White.

Now, every student at Noxubee County High School is part of the cooperative learning program.

Everyday, students learn a different subject from one of their peers.

The teacher selects a student they feel knows enough to be the master student for the week.

9th grader Jaykanze Bryant taught her peers a lesson in Biology.

“I think that I can help my fellow classmates excel and help them become more efficient in Biology,” said Bryant.

Both, teachers and students enjoy the new teaching method.

In just one school year, students test scores have improved, fewer fights have broken out and Mrs. White’s classroom has seen zero disruptions.

“I think that as their classmates teach them they may listen more because we have a better student to student connection,” added Bryant.

Mrs. White believes that cooperative learning makes her classroom more competitive because each student strives to be the master student for the week.

She says students have more confidence in themselves.

“It actually makes them feel truly great about themselves,” said White.

This is the school’s first year offering enrichment period and they plan to continue requiring the course for years to come.