The Effects of Cooperative Learning on Students' Attitude and Achievement in Mathematics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

As the population increased and schools became larger, the schools also became more specific to age-and grade-appropriate separation. This changed the way teachers worked in the classroom more toward direct instruction where students worked individually. This scenario motivated the researchers that will prove or disprove the effectiveness of a cooperative learning environment in classrooms where students practice cooperative learning. Traditional class activities create a win-win situation, where one can only succeed if other loose, while cooperative learning is a direct opposite of it and the conquest of all is a success of all.

METHODS

The researchers utilized the quantitative research methodology. The students were divided into heterogeneous groups based on their previous grades. The learners exchanged ideas and chose the best way to represent the response of the whole group. In this case, they do not need to copy or to compare with each other's paper. After doing varieties of activities and answering different questions together, the comparison of their individual made scores and the scores they got with their group was compared.

RESULTS

Pre and Post Project Survey were given to determine the student's perception and attitude towards Mathematics and how would they respond if they were given a certain task. The result revealed that Mathematics is an interesting and enjoyable subject. There are still some students who lack confidence and depend on their group mates so as to ask for an answer or ask for the affirmation of their answers. The result is not quite remarkable, but at some point, the research was a successful one. The Pre Test Mean is 12.96 and with Standard Deviation of 3.47, were understandably low. After the use of Cooperative Learning strategy, the results were actualized, where the Post Test Mean is now 20.55, and with the standard deviation of 3.77.

DISCUSSIONS

The result of this research shows that there is a great improvement in the students' attitudes and performance toward Mathematics after working in cooperative learning groups. They even agreed to use Cooperative Learning in all of their activities especially, during the assessment. These results suggest that teachers in the field of education must give serious and favorable consideration for a long time period to observe its effectiveness. Cooperative learning methods, with the guidance of an informed teacher, will have a positive impact on student achievements.