Exploring the Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning at Secondary Level in Bangladesh
In general, cooperative learning refers to the use of small groups of students to encourage them to
work together and help each other to learn, accomplish learning goals, and increase their learning
potential. This study attempts to explore the effectiveness of cooperative learning at secondary level
classroom learning and students' achievement in particular. It also compares the achievements in
means of scores between a student group taught using cooperative learning strategies and another
group taught using non-cooperative learning strategies. This study is designed following a quasiexperimental
research
technique.
60
students
from
a
secondary
school
of
class
9
taking
Science
from
2
different sections were selected as samples and were divided into equal number experimental
group and control group for this study. A pretest was conducted before administering the
cooperative learning technique which was followed by a post-test after on to determine the
effectiveness in the form of learning achievement. Students' achievements were measured through a
self-constructed achievement test which was used in both the pretest and post-test. The data were
analyzed through t-test using SPSS. The comparison of these results indicated a meaningful
statistical difference between the two groups, and it was also found from the teachers that students
who work in the cooperative learning groups were more engaged, more responsible in completing
group assignments and more organized while working in their respective groups. Therefore, in
order to promote quality learning, the results of this study may encourage the practice of cooperative
learning for the secondary school level. To make the learning of students more enjoyable, effective,
and sustained at secondary level; schools and teachers need to use the cooperative learning
technique in the classrooms
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