In cooperative learning, students work with their peers to accomplish a shared or common goal. The goal is reached through interdependence among all
group members rather than working alone. Each member is responsible for the outcome of the shared goal.
2.2.5.2 The Advantages Using Cooperative Learning
According to Rita Rani Mandal 2009: 98, there are five advantages using Cooperative Learning Strategy that are:
1. Cooperative learning develops higher level thinking skills.
2. Skill building and practice can be enhanced and made less tedious
though cooperative learning activities in and out the classroom. 3.
It creates an environment for active, involved and exploratory learning.
4. It improves the performance of the weaker students when grouped
with higher achieving students. 5.
It addresses learning style differences among students. According to Sylvia Fehling on her article entitle Cooperative Learning in
the EFL Classroom available on http:www.iaie.orgdownloadturin_paper_ fehling.pdf, there are three advantages of Cooperative Learning as follows:
1. Cooperative learning can help students learn academically. On the one
hand they acquire the content of the subject and on the other hand they develop meta-
disciplinary competence, as for example “higher order thinking skills”. These include forming hypotheses, making decisions
and finding categories. In addition, cooperative learning encourages students to find solutions for special problems. Therefore, they have to
discuss, form ideas and opinions and have to give feedback.
2. Another advantage of cooperative learning can be social-affective
learning. Pupils can learn to support each other, to deal with hetereogenity in a group, to work in a team and to deal with the
perspective of others. A further advantage is that students are able to learn to listen to each other and to solve problems together. This can
lead to less fear and stress in a class and can increase the motivation.
3. Cooperative learning can also be highly motivating for the students
since it can strengthen the confidence in their own abilities. If learners
realize that their contributions are accepted in a group and even necessary and useful for the aim of the group. Giving the learners
more authority to make their own decisions, the teacher also prepares the students for their role as citizens in the adult world.
2.2.5.3 Techniques of Cooperative Learning
