Constructivism Approach as The Basis of Collaborative Learning
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inside the class. There are two options available in intra class tutoring which are used in this research:
1. Pair work
In pair work, students work as peer tutors in pair. It gives students opportunities to have intensive work and discussions with their pair Gaies,
1985. They also have intensive opportunity to give peer feedback with their pair, which will help them to give and receive good quality feedback on their
work. 2.
Small group work In small group work, students work as peer tutors in small group Gaies,
1985. The advantage of small group work is students will get more perspectives, which is not available in pair work. However, the quality of the
feedback might not be as good as in pair work, since the intensiveness in small group work is lower than pair work.
Peer involvement is beneficial for language learners. Since language is basically used for communication, peer involvement gives learners opportunities
to practice their language skills by communicating each other in such a real situation. It also increases students’ motivation, sense of self direction, higher
intelligence level, and critical thinking skills. It breaks the limitation of teacher centred learning where learners have limited opportunities to use and improve
their skills, which often leads learners to frustration, spoon-feeding, and negative dependence with the teacher Gaies, 1985. Particularly in improving critical
thinking skills, peer involvement gives the opportunity for the students to have PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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discussions and arguments with their peers. Dooly 2008 states that students are encouraged to think critically by engaging in discussions and taking responsibility
for their learning, and the opportunities are available in peer involvement which involves the students in discussions in the learning process. Peer involvement also
gives divergent perspectives which help the students in evaluating their arguments and building strong arguments on it. Divergent perspectives and free discussions
are important elements to encourage students to think critically in the classroom Slavin, 2012, and those elements are supported in peer involvement.
2 Peer Assessment
Peer assessment is a part of learner-centred and collaborative education, where the students are given the opportunity to do the language learning
assessment themselves. It is derived from self assessment where students monitor their own learning process and performance as a successful learner. Brown 2004
states: Most successful learners extend the learning of process well beyond the
classroom and the presence of teacher or tutor, autonomously mastering the art of self assessment. Where peers are available to render assessments, the
advantage of such additional input is obvious p.270.
There are two principles in peer assessment: the principle of autonomy and the principle of cooperative learning. The principle of autonomy stands on
students’ abilities and autonomy as an independent learner. The abilities refer to setting one’s own learning goals, pursuing the goals without the presence of an
external prod, and independently monitoring that pursuit Brown, 2004. The principle of cooperative learning is where the students do peer-assessment