The Effect of Cooperative Learning Method and Systematic Teaching on Students’ Achievement and Retention of Knowledge in Social Studies Lesson*
Öz
Problem
Statement: Many
effective instructional strategies, methods, and techniques, which were
developed in accordance with constructivist approach, can be used together in
social studies lessons. Constructivist education comprises active learning
processes. Two active learning approaches are cooperative learning and
systematic teaching.
Purpose
of the Study: The present study was conducted to determine the
effect of the cooperative learning method and the systematic teaching and
constructivist learning approaches on student achievement and retention in
teaching the social studies lesson unit “The Place We Live” in a 4th grade
class at the elementary school level.
Method: The
research was based on pretest-posttest control group experimental design.
Accordingly, experiment group 1 received instruction based on the cooperative
learning method, experiment group 2 received instruction based on the
systematic teaching method, and control groups 1 and 2 were instructed through
the constructivist learning approach. A total of 110 students were assigned to
the experiment and control groups, and the paired samples t test and one-way
ANOVA were used to analyze the data.
Findings:
The results of
the study suggested that the cooperative learning method and the systematic
teaching and constructivist learning approaches are effective ways of enhancing
students’ achievement. Conversely, experiment and control group post test
scores were not significantly different from each other. The cooperative
learning method and the systematic teaching and constructivist learning
approaches (control-1) were found to secure retention of knowledge, but failed
to achieve retention of the knowledge among students in control group 2.
Conclusion and Recommendations: The study found that cooperative
learning and the systematic teaching and constructivist learning approaches
were effective in enhancing student achievement and retention in social studies
lessons (except for control-2). Based on these results, it is recommended that
in order to enhance academic achievement and retention of gains in social
studies lessons, the cooperative learning method and systematic teaching can be
used in addition to the constructivist learning approach. Moreover, failure of
the constructivist learning approach to achieve retention in control group 2
can be based on different reasons. One reason can be the teachers’ lack of
knowledge about the basic philosophy and steps of constructivist approach. In
this context, it is recommended that teachers should have in-service training
about the constructivist approach.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Kaynakça
- Adeyemi, B.A. (2008). Effects of cooperative learning and problem-solving strategies on junior secondary school students' achievement in social studies. Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology, 6, 691-708.
- Alacapinar, F.G. (2002). Effect of programmed instruction on achievement and retention. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 9, 172-185.
- Anderson, W.L., Mitchell, S.M., & Osgood, M.P. (2005). Comparison of student performance in cooperative learning and traditional lecture-based biochemistry classes. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 33, 387-393.
- Brooks, M.G., & Brooks, J.G. (1999). The constructivist classroom. Educational Leadership, 57(3), 18-24.
- Buyukozturk, S., Kilic Cakmak, E., Akgun, O.E., Karadeniz, S., & Demirel, F. (2010). Bilimsel arastirma yontemleri [Scientific research methods]. Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
- Cooperstein, S. E., & Kocevar-Weidinger, E. (2004). Beyond active learning: A constructivist approach to learning. Reference Services Review, 32(2), 141-148.
- Celebi, C. (2006). The Effect of cooperative learning based to constructive approach to students achievement and attitudes at primary school 5th year social studies lesson. Unpublished master dissertation. Selcuk University, Konya.
- Cetin, K. (2003). The evaluation of teaching the unit of Ataturk’s life in Turkish revolutionary history and the lesson of Ataturkculuk according to the programmed learning at primary education with pupils of grade 8. Unpublished master dissertation. Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu.
Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
-
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Yayımlanma Tarihi
15 Aralık 2016
Gönderilme Tarihi
15 Aralık 2016
Kabul Tarihi
-
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2016 Cilt: 16 Sayı: 66