ROLE CARDS IN COOPERATIVE LEARNING

ROLE CARDS: Is it important?

ROLE CARDS (KAD PERANAN) for each group member.

Many teachers are skeptical about the importance of using role cards in the classroom. Why is it important? Does it have any impact on my pupils? Isn't it time consuming to prepare the cards? My answer would be :
Yes, it is important.
It does help to develop pupils' social skills.
It's easy to prepare (there is a myriad of online resources pertaining Role Cards. Here are some suggestions:

Read Write Think Group Role Cards
When implementing group work with students, it is essential that they understand their role within the group in order for the learning to be effective. By providing the role cards, students can learn to participate in cooperative learning effectively, whilst also developing a range of appropriate social skills. 

www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/.../cooperative.pdf

Working in Small Groups: My Read
This extract from My Read website presents a wide range of practical cooperative group learning strategies that are flexible and provide opportunities for students to work together in the construction of knowledge. 

http://www.myread.org/organisation.htm

The use of Role Cards helps the teacher in managing the classroom better