Research & Methodology SKBI 6004

Using Cooperative learning in classroom as teaching technique Interaction will support the learning - provide efficient classroom environment (Lau & Habibah, 2011). make students away from : not being confident a, isolated.

Modern cooperative learning has widely used in all subject areas and institution levels (Felder & Brent, 2007). Formal and informal cooperative learning Formal :- grouped for several weeks -working on extensive project Informal :- organized during teaching & learning - engage students with materials

weak or low ability students concerns educators the students will not learn much if work or learn by their own some students find it is difficult to get organized and to begin independent activities (Wright, 2011) learning environment/support are negative/passive lose confidence and motivation learning language

The aim of this study is to investigate the involvement and responses towards cooperative learning among the low ability students.

1. How do low ability students react during cooperative learning activities? 2. What are the language benefits that they get from this cooperative learning activities? 3. What are the students responses towards cooperative learning?

Morgan (2012) & Wichadee (n.d.) have same framework : 5 basic elements of cooperative learning in their study Marcus (2009) focuses on the grouping of the students in having cooperative learning activities in the classroom. heterogeneous groupings have some significant failings : stronger students become frustrated with weaker students Most of the studies are on mix ability students same issue of balancing good and weak students

5 elements of Cooperative Learning 1. Positive Interdependence. 2. Face-to-face Interaction. 3. Personal responsibility. 4. Collaborative Skills. 5. Group processing.

Piloting for 10 weeks Some sessions of cooperative learning activities will be observed observations with video-tapping ( 1 hour) Checklists are used while observing Interviews

Semester 2 students of Diploma in Uitm Pahang(Bel260) Reading class 30 students from 1 particular class – mix ability Low ability students will be spotted by looking at previous grade

2 instruments are used : Observation & Interviews Checklist for observations will be constructed based on the 5 elements of Cooperative learning Interview is semi-constructed also based on the 5 elements

Observations are for the whole class ( during activities) After analyze the video interviews will be held Interviews are only for particular low ability students – randomly chosen

Research Questions Research DesignData collection 1. How do low ability students react during cooperative learning activities? Observations Series of observation Checklists Video- taped Analyze 2. What are the language benefits that they get from this cooperative learning activities? Observations Series of observation Checklists Video- taped Analyze 3. What are the students responses towards cooperative learning? Interviews After observations Semi-constructed

Marcus, R,. (2009). Observations on Cooperative-Learning Group Assignments. Chauncey Truax Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Philosophy, Hamilton College 198 College Hill Road Clinton NY. From Morgan, B. M. (2012). Teaching Cooperative Learning with Childrens Literature. National Forum of Teacher ducation Journal Volume 22, Number 3, aching%20Cooperative%20Learning%20with%20Children%20Literature%20NFTEJ%20V22%20 N3% pdf aching%20Cooperative%20Learning%20with%20Children%20Literature%20NFTEJ%20V22%20 N3% pdf Mai Neo, (2004). Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. Cooperative learning on the web: A group based, student centered learning experience in the Malaysian classroom Multimedia University, Malaysia. From Ornelas, (2004). Cooperative Learning. A Project Presented to the Faculty of the School of Education University of San Francisco. From LEARNING.pdf Syafini Ismail & Tengku Nor Rizan Tengku Mohamad Maasum (2008). The Effects of Cooperative Learning in Enhancing Writing Performance. From Wichadee, S. ( n.d.) The Effects of Cooperative Learning on English Reading Skills and Attitudes of the First-Year Students at Bangkok University.