Teaching Writing in Senior High School
languages as it is not difficult to find a text on instructional methods, a teacher’s journal, or instructional material that do not discuss cooperative
learning. Mandal 2009 proposes the notion of cooperative learning is an
instructional strategy based on the human instinct of cooperation. It is the utilization of the psychological aspects of cooperation and competition for
curricular transaction and student learning. There are some other definitions of cooperative learning made by
some eminent scholars. As cited in Syafini Rizan 2010, Slavin 1980 states cooperative learning is student working in small groups and are
given rewards and recognition based on the group’s peformance. Goodsell, Maher and Tinto 1992 define cooperative learning as a learning approach
which falls in the more general category of collaborative learning which is described as students in groups of two or more working together mutually
to find an understanding, solutions or meaning and create product. In the ideal classroom, students would learn how to work
cooperatively with others, compete for fun and enjoyment, and work autonomously on their own. Students are given some goals and
encouraged to work cooperatively to accomplish the goals. Cooperative learning can maximize their own and each other’s learning Johnson
Johnson 1998. Johnson Johnson 1988 describe a cooperative learning
situtation interaction is characterized by positive goal interdependence
with individual accountabiliy. Positive goal interdependence requires acceptance by a group that they sink or swim together. Students work in a
small group to help each other to learn before they are engaged in a individual test. Their score of the test later would contribute to their own
group. Conducting cooperative learning could enhance students’
performance. Firstly, the teacher would get the students achieve more than in competitive or individualistic interaction. Secondly, students are more
positive about school, teachers, subject areas. Thirdly, students are more positive about each other when they learn cooperatively than when they
learn alone, competively or individualistically. Lastly, students are more effective interpersonally as a result of working cooperatively than when
they work alone. Johnson Johnson, 1988.