American Journal of Educational Research, 2018, Vol. 6, No. 12, 1710-1714 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/education/6/12/18 ©Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/education-6-12-18 Consensual Cooperative-Learning: A New Method to Harmonize the Learning of Complex Knowledge M.Dahmani Fathallah 1,2.* , Sayed H. Rajab 2 , Hashem A. Al Musawi 2 , Aisha Al Foderi 2 , Farah Al Qabandi 2 , Fatma Al Saad 2 , Haya Al Kanderi 2 , Mashail Al Obaid 2 , Samar Al Abyoki 2 , Fuad Al Habeeb 2 , Fuad Al Hassan 2 , Hameeda Al Maalki 2 , Hessa Al Noaimi 2 , Maha Al Shaalan 2 , Mohammed Al Mannai 2 , Suha Abdullah 2 1 Department of Life Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University 2 Department of Innovation & Technology Management, PhD in Innovation Management Program, College of Graduate Studies, Arabian Gulf University *Corresponding author: d.fathallah@agu.edu.bh Received November 11, 2018; Revised December 18, 2018; Accepted December 28, 2018 Abstract A harmonized learning outcome is eagerly needed when it comes to teaching complex knowledge, particularly concepts that can be contingent on different perceptions and understanding. No teaching method is currently available, however, about achieving a harmonized learning outcome of puzzling knowledge. To fill this educational gap, we developed an incrementally innovative learning-centered method; the consensual cooperative- learning method (CCL) and tested it on a group of executives enrolled in an innovation management PhD program. This paper describes the CCL method and highlights the potential of combining and building upon self-learning methods in achieving harmonized acquisition of sophisticated knowledge. Keywords: learning method, self-learning, cooperative learning, complex knowledge, consensual learning Cite This Article: M.Dahmani Fathallah, Sayed H. Rajab, Hashem A. Al Musawi, Aisha Al Foderi, Farah Al Qabandi, Fatma Al Saad, Haya Al Kanderi, Mashail Al Obaid, Samar Al Abyoki, Fuad Al Habeeb, Fuad Al Hassan, Hameeda Al Maalki, Hessa Al Noaimi, Maha Al Shaalan, Mohammed Al Mannai, and Suha Abdullah, “Consensual Cooperative-Learning: A New Method to Harmonize the Learning of Complex Knowledge.” American Journal of Educational Research, vol. 6, no. 12 (2018): 1710-1714. doi: 10.12691/education-6-12-18. 1. Introduction The process by which humans learn and assimilate new knowledge is still largely unknown despite global and continuous efforts to unriddle it [1]. Nevertheless, the educational field is going through major changes as new learning paradigms are making their way into educational institutions [2,3] as well as non-educational institutions where the assimilation and use of new knowledge and concepts are crucial to sustain their activities. Meanwhile, with the accumulation and deepening of knowledge and the sophistication of human organizations, issues that used to be compartmented became tightly linked and interdependent and thus more and more complex. As a consequence, the learning process becomes knotty when it comes to learning complex issues and particularly when the outcome of the learning process needs to be consensual and harmonized among the learners instead of being a polymorphic personal perception. Indeed, through the learning experience, the thinking, feeling and perception very often vary between individuals. Therefore, it is crucial that the learning method provides a common or harmonized learning outcome in terms of understanding and perception particularly when it comes to grasp complex issues. Common understanding of complex issues is of paramount importance for the academic spreading of this knowledge and/or to achieve specific management and business objectives. Nevertheless, any learning method that emphasizes harmonized learning outcomes should take into consideration the individual aspect of perception and should focus on the consensual aspect of the learning experience. To fulfill such an educational requirement, the self-directed learning and cooperative learning methods seem to be the most adapted. However, some modifications need to be made to introduce the consensual aspect in achieving common perception and understanding of complex issues. As the long-lived method of stuffing or cramming of information in the minds turned out to be obsolete, the new learning paradigms are ultimately leading to learn how to learn. Therefore, self-learning which enables individuals or groups of people to obtain information and human knowledge on their own is becoming one of the most important methods for learning [4]. Indeed, driven by their own desire to learn, individuals will use the learning skills effectively, enabling them to learn at all times and helping them to develop their skills, abilities to suit their needs, interests and tendencies which are related to the cognitive and emotional aspects of it. Self-learning does not necessarily exclude teachers but does not depend on them as the only source of information or knowledge. There are multiple sources and varieties of self-learning [5,6] which can be envisaged individually or within a