The Impact of Cooperative Learning Strategy on the Geography Achievement of Form One: Topics Forest and the Wild Life

Abstract

This research is intended to study the use of cooperative learning (CL) in Geography teaching at secondary school using CL structures of Jigsaw, Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) and Group Investigation. The variables under study were: (1) ability to motivate students in CL, (2) ability to structure CL, and (3) ability to evaluate CL’s activity processes. The researcher also intended to study the impact of CL use on student’s Geography performance and students’ attitude on Geography before and after using cooperative learning module. The researcher also intended to study student’s ability on collaborative skills such as: (1) communication skill, (2) intergroup interaction, and (3) cooperative skills. The study employed action research. Research subjects were a Geography teacher and 25 form 1 students in Mara Junior High School of Kuala Klawang, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan. Data was collected through observation, pretest and posttest of geography achievement and questionnaires to measure the student’s attitude on Geography before and after using CL. The research finding showed that the teacher’s ability to motivate students create positive interdependence among them to communicate and cooperate with one another. The teacher’s ability to structure, and evaluate CL’s activity processes, on the other hand, increased interaction between students and teacher and helped improve student’s Geography performance and their collaborative skills. Result on student’s attitude showed that their attitude on Geography positively changed when using CL. One of the implications of this action research teacher has to change teaching and learning practices towards cooperative learning. Concomitantly, the students were able to increase their geography performance, changed of attitudes toward geography, and display good social values.