Improving Students’ Participation by Using Cooperative Learning Among Selected Male and FemaleGrade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences Students on Practical Research 2 Subject: An Assessment

Abstract

Cooperative learning, which is also known as small group learning, is a teaching strategy that is used to improve the students’ understanding. It changes each and everyone’s role inside the classroom. Students have the opportunities to actively participate in their learning and challenge each other, share, and discuss each other’s ideas. This study involved selected male and female Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences students of Bestlink College of the Philippines on how to improve the students’ participation by using cooperative learning. To conduct this study, the researchers used the descriptive method mixed with the quantitative research. The instrument used was a survey questionnaire. The sampling technique used for this study was stratified sampling to administer the survey questionnaires to the respondents. The researchers used frequency and percentage, weighted mean, and z-test as statistical tools in this study. The data gathered from 90 student respondents were evaluated by the researchers. Based on the survey, group activities often affect the students’ participation by using cooperative learning, with a composite average of 4.36 for male respondents and 4.00 for female respondents. In terms of recitation, it affects the students’ participation by using cooperative learning, with the composite average of 3.67 on male respondents and 3.64 for female respondents and verbal interpretation for both of “often.” The results also showed that the students’ participation by using cooperative learning had the composite average of 3.39 for male respondents and 3.24 for female respondents, with the verbal interpretation of “sometimes.” Therefore, the difference between the two groups of respondents is not significant. In this study, the researchers recommended students should always cooperate with everyone around and should not be a “free rider” who is pulling the group down.