Using cooperative learning approach to improve on the performance of form two integrated science students at Obrachire Senior High School in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

This study presents the use of cooperative learning method that improved Integrated Science teaching in a comfortable non-threatening setting. It assessed the effects of cooperative learning and traditional learning methods on achievement of form two students in Integrated Science . This is an experimental study in which cooperative learning method - Student Team Achievement Division, developed by Slavin is selected as a teaching method and as a form of intervention and compared to the traditonal method of teaching for a period of three weeks. The study applied a pre test and post-test equivalent groups design. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample for the study comprising sixty-four students studying Integrated Science in form two at the Senior High School level at Obrachire in the Central Region of Ghana. These students were divided into two groups and allotted to control and experimental groups. Pre-test scores of the sample served as data to equate the control and experimental groups. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software package version 16. A paired sample t-test was used to compare the means of pre-test and post-test scores of the subjects after the treatment. With a t-value of 0.02, results of post-test showed that the experimental group performed significantly better than the control group, indicating that cooperative learning method was more effective for teaching Integrated Science compared to the traditional method of teaching. Cooperative learning method was useful for improving the performance of students in Integrated Science at Obrachire Senior High School.