Cooperative learning based on Constructivism has been emphasized in all educational fields. However, in spite of the benefits of cooperative learning, carrying out cooperative learning in a classroom situation and eliciting vigorous interactions from ...
Cooperative learning based on Constructivism has been emphasized in all educational fields. However, in spite of the benefits of cooperative learning, carrying out cooperative learning in a classroom situation and eliciting vigorous interactions from students are not easy tasks.
These days, technological revolutions and the increasing use of computers have rapidly changed the nature and scope of teaching and learning in all educational fields. As a result of the technological advancements, various forms of communicational tools have emerged as a new learning environment. Some of the new technologies allow for synchronous communication and computer-mediated communicational tools have been used increasingly in second and foreign language learning environments. Computer-mediated communication tools are the efficient means for causing the active interaction. So, they will be useful for cooperative learning.
In this study, 34 high school students were asked to carry out the cooperative learning in a group using the synchronous chat programs which can facilitate the interaction of learners and their negotiation of meaning. The problem-solving tasks were given to the students and these tasks were related to English reading and writing.
The purpose of this study was to observe the nature of the students in the cooperative learning process and to find the positive and negative aspects which cooperative learning through internet chatting will take on.
The results showed that the students were motivated by the authentic problem-solving tasks on the web and the unfamiliarity with carrying out the tasks through internet chatting. The students discussed actively with each other in their group to complete the task and they also formed the affirmative human relationship through the cooperative learning process.
The incumbent teacher who watched the students, showed cooperative learning through internet chatting was very efficient in causing the students' increased motivation about English and carrying out the task in a more cooperative atmosphere. She also felt very positive about taking process-based testing, as opposed to the results. But, it is said that she has had the difficulties in carrying out these kinds of tasks in the educational field, considering some problems that she was faced with, for example, many students in a classroom, the method of assessment and a lot of efforts which the teacher had to devote to and so on.
Thus, the suitable cooperative learning tasks or the learning environment of using the computer-mediated communicational tools should be developed and encouraged after fully understanding the nature of students and the social and educational aspects which we are confronted with.