Application of the Cooperative Learning Method in the formation of cooperative members: challenges and perspectives

Abstract

This article recovers the results of an action-research that included the planning, execution and evaluation processes of ten cooperative education courses, aimed at cooperative members of the same number of municipalities in Mexico City. The general objective of the investigation consisted of identifying the contributions that the Cooperative Learning Method can make to the formation of the members of the cooperatives, in their capacity as cooperators, when experiencing relevant changes in their associative life, among which we can mention: leaving individualism behind in order to assume the interest for the common good; practicing principles and values that facilitate the work in a collective and horizontal way; assuming a more solidary, tolerant and committed attitude with their association and the community and, valuing the importance of having a permanent education service for all the members. As part of the results, it is worth mentioning that, during the development of the courses, the participants managed to integrate and organize the diversity of knowledge existing in each of the groups, overcoming the limits of traditional individualistic education, as well as the behaviors and attitudes that prevent learning in a group. At the end of the training experience, it was confirmed that the practice of cooperation is the best tool to learn and train as authentic cooperatives members, since it implies exercising inclusion, tolerance and mutual help, making group interests prevail over personal ones.