Although cooperative learning strategies in many subject areas have been found to be effective, the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement in science laboratory setting is not clear. Reported results on the effects of the strategies fo...
Although cooperative learning strategies in many subject areas have been found to be effective, the effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement in science laboratory setting is not clear. Reported results on the effects of the strategies for higher achieving students are not also consistent. In this study, the cooperative learning strategies emphasizing student-centered learning which included higher order thinking activities were used in a elementary school science course. The cooperative and traditional learning groups were selected from fifth-grade classes, and taught about dissolution and solution for 16 class periods. The effects of the cooperative learning strategies upon students` academic achievement, science process skill, the attitude toward science instruction, and the perceptions of classroom environment were investigated. Two-way ANCOVA results revealed that the test scores of academic achievement and science process skill for the cooperative learning group were significantly higher than those of the traditional learning group. No interaction between the instruction and the level of previous achievement was found. The perceptions of confliction were higher in cooperative learning group. In the attitude toward science instruction and the perceptions of participation, however, no significant difference between the two groups was found. Educational implications are discussed.