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Preparing Primary Teachers to Use Cooperative Learning : A Case Stud y

Preparing Primary Teachers to Use Cooperative Learning : A Case Stud y. Sumru Akcan sumru.akcan@boun.edu.tr Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey May, 2007. Purpose of the Study.

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Preparing Primary Teachers to Use Cooperative Learning : A Case Stud y

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  1. Preparing Primary Teachers to Use Cooperative Learning: A Case Study Sumru Akcan sumru.akcan@boun.edu.tr Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey May, 2007

  2. Purpose of the Study • To explore the attitudes of the primary teachers towards the implementation of cooperative group work between Grades 3-5 in Language Arts and Social Studies classes.

  3. Research Methodology • Qualitative case study • 14 primary teachers in a public elementary school in İstanbul • Seminars between December 2005-May 2006 • Class size 25-35

  4. Data Collection • Open-ended questionnaire • Discussions at the end of each seminar • Class observations • Interviews with the teachers • Artifacts

  5. Cooperative Learning Techniques • Jigsaw • Think-Pair-Share • Numbered Heads • Circle of Writers • Circle of Speakers • Corners

  6. Key Elements of Cooperative Learning • Positive Interdependence • Individual Accountability • Social Skills • Face-to-Face Interaction

  7. Why use Cooperative Learning? (Johnson & Johnson, 1990; Kagan, 1994) • Promotes learning and academic achievement • Increases student retention • Develops students’ social skills • Helps students develop skills in oral communication • Enhances student satisfaction with their learning experience.

  8. Attitudes towards Cooperative Group Work • Teachers are positive about using cooperative group work • Getting information from the students individually and creating knowledge together • Cooperation is an effective and useful process that makes learning more enjoyable. • Different ideas & views come together.

  9. Attitudes towards Cooperative Group Work • Learning together through questioning and answering • Higher retention rate since the topics are covered in detail through discussions • Sharing information; completing the missing information together.

  10. Positive Aspects of Group Work • Develops self-esteem • Completes one another’s knowledge • Increases the speaking opportunities.

  11. Positive Aspects of Group Work • Encourages collectivism • Gives the students opportunities to socialize • The students learn the necessity of working & thinking together in order to accomplish the learning objectives • The students compare their ideas with their peers.

  12. Positive Aspects of Group Work • The students can see their own learning levels and the others • Increase their awareness of what one knows and thinks • Respect the differences.

  13. Positive Aspects of Group Work • Brainstorm the information; each student can talk about his/her point of view and learns how to listen • Learn how to help each other • Learn to take responsibility • Motivate each other to work together.

  14. Positive Aspects of Group Work • Increases the motivation of the students • Competition might cause increased motivation (“Which group taught the subject matter best?”) • The students had a chance to learn the subject in detail since they did an intensive search on their own.

  15. Positive Aspects of Group Work • Increases self-esteem and the students can express themselves more easily • The teacher continuously updates himself/herself • Develops collaboration among the group members • Increases students’ creativity.

  16. Positive Aspects of Group Work • Increases the willingness to learn and work together • There is a transition from “I” to “We”; group work increases the socialization process and prevents isolation of the students from the other students • Increases the creativity of the teacher and also planning skills • Gives the teacher an opportunity to observe the students closely.

  17. Positive Aspects of Group Work • Creates division of labor among the group members • Increases cooperation • Encourages students to do research • Everyone has a chance to speak.

  18. Challenges of Group Work • Might not be used all the time • Some students might remain passive • Individual accountability • Physical set-up of the class. The chairs are not movable in the class • The class hours are not sufficient • Timing; the students might not finish the work on time.

  19. Challenges of Group Work • Noise, classroom management problems • Not applicable for every class and subject matter • Large classes • Size of the class • Group work is not enough by itself and it should be supported with the other methodologies for effective instruction.

  20. Suggestions • Forming the groups properly based on the students’ levels and abilities; Heterogeneous grouping is recommended. • Topics to be covered during group work should meet the needs and interests of the students • Small size of the class (More than 20 students would be a challenge) • Teachers need to plan carefully. More planning and hard work are essential for effective group work.

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