Increasing Students’ Participation Through Cooperative Learning Method: A Case of Bonga University first Year Biology Students

Abstract

Education is a process of facilitating learning or acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, belief and habits. It is bases for development and empowerment for every nation. Cooperative learning is a set of methods in which students work together in small groups and help one another to achieve learning objectives‛ (Johnson & Johnson, 2009). It is well recognized as a pedagogical practice that promotes learning, higher level thinking, pro social behavior, and a greater understanding of children with diverse learning, social and adjustment needs (Cohen 1994). The general objective of the study is increasing first year Biology Department Students’ participation in cooperative learning methods (in collaborative group work). To conduct this study, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed. The quantitative data was collected from 44 Biology first year students. Qualitative data was collected through observation and focus group discussion from all students. The primary data were collected through observation and questionnaire from first year biology students. The secondary type of data also collected from related research works, documents at different line, students’ achievement in the previous semester from department and social interaction changes. In the selection of the sample population, available sampling was employed. The data was analyzed by using percentage, and frequencies. The finding of the study revealed that students participation was low in cooperative learning and the practice of Cooperative learning was challenged by different problem like lack of awareness and motivation both in the side of teachers and students, dependence of lower achievers on higher achievers, unequal sharing of work among group members, inappropriate group organization, uncomfortable seating arrangement of students, and insufficient support and follow up from teachers. Nevertheless, by utilizing the proposed actions like creating awareness about the importance of cooperative learning, reorganizing group arrangement, providing different responsibilities for each member of the group and providing the required support for all the groups the researchers observed improvement on achievement of students. Thus, it is possible to conclude that, cooperative learning can improve the participation of students if it is conducted in well-organized way by using different strategies that help learners to take responsibility by themselves.

Keywords: Cooperative learning, Participation, Collaborative Learning, action plan/intervention

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-13-05

Publication date:May 31^st 2020