An Assessment of Grade IV Pupils' Needs: Basis for the Cooperative Learning at Saimsim Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Cooperative learning is a successful teaching strategy where small teams, with students from 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 his/her teammates learn, thus, creating an atmosphere of achievement. Using cooperative learning, students practiced and developed social skills needed to successfully accomplish given tasks and projects. It encourages group interaction with assigned roles as each member shares responsibility for the group and the work produced. The researcher believes that pupils working together in small groups can master the material presented by the teacher better than the pupils working on their own. It encourages pupils to help and support their peers in the group rather than compete against them. It also boosts the achievement of pupils on all ability levels. The primary aim of this research is to identify the Grade IV pupils' need for human relationships in the learning process so that the Grade IV teachers may use the cooperative learning strategy effectively.

METHODS

The descriptive-analytic research design was adopted in this study to determine the students' needs for the improvement of the instructional program of the school. The purpose of which is to provide the needed data as a basis. The method called for the data gathering was the questionnaire. This was supplemented by the interviews and observation for a more meaningful interpretation of the findings.

RESULTS

Based on the assessment and observations of the teachers of the needs of the Grade IV pupils in the learning process, cooperative learning is preferred by the pupils. In human relations, this study indicates that most of the pupils have positive attitudes about themselves. Interviews made to 7 pupils revealed that in the needs in the learning process of Grade IV pupils, they highly value the role of their teachers in the learning process. The cooperative process of learning is preferred by students and the teacher can use this to help them achieve more. To carry out cooperative learning successfully, the group must have a purpose. Also, all the students in the group should undertake the responsibility to achieve the aim of the group.

DISCUSSIONS

The results demonstrate that the new teaching strategies and techniques based on the pupils' needs, interest and experiences should be implemented. Through cooperative learning, teamwork can be developed successfully in heterogeneous groups. Pupils working in a team can attain mastery of their lesson and increase their ability to work effectively with others. The main aim of cooperative learning is to instill the mentality of working together. In this approach, students should combine their efforts because the essence of this approach is "either we swim together or we sink together".