A General Introductory of Cooperative Learning

2.2.5.1 A General Introductory of Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is a successful teaching strategy by using discussing in small teams. Each team consists of students with different levels of ability. Cooperative learning technique uses a variety of learning activities to improve the students‟ understanding of a subject. Each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping teammates learn, thus creating an atmosphere of achievement. Students work through the assignment until all group members successfully understand and complete it. According to Johnson Johnson 1993:9 quoted in George Jacobs, “cooperative learning as the instructional use of small groups so that students work together to maximize their own and each other‟s learning”. Jacobs, Power, and Loh 2002:1 quoted in George Jacobs state “cooperative learning is principles and techniqu es for helping students work together more effectively”. So, the point is that cooperative learning involves more than just asking students to work together in group. Instead, conscious thought go in to helping students make the experienceas successful as possible. According to Roger and Johnson 1997 states that “cooperative learning is the instructional use of small groups which students work together to achieve their shared goals”. Rita Rani Mandal 2009:97 poins out “cooperative learning is a successful teaching strategy in which small teams, each with students of different levels of ability, use a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Each member of a team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping teammates learn, thus creating atmosphere of achievement”. 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