The Instructional Influences of Cooperative Learning Strategies : Applying the LT Model to Middle School Physical Science Course

협동학습 전략의 교수 효과: 중학교 물상 수업에 LT 모델의 적용

This study investigated the influences of the cooperative learning strategies upon students' achievement and their perceptions of learning environments in a middle school physical science course. Prior to instruction, the Group Assessment of Logical Thinking was administered, and its score was used as a blocking variable. Mid-term examination score was used as a covariate. For the treatment group with heterogeneous grouping, cooperative learning instruction (the Learning Together model) was used, which emphasized group reward, individual accountability, and role division. For the control group, traditional instruction was used. After instruction, an achievement test consisting of three subtests (knowledge, understanding, and application), and the perception questionnaire of classroom and laboratory environments, were administered. ANCOVA results revealed that there was a significant interaction between instruction and the level of logical reasoning ability although there were no significant differences in all three subtest scores of the achievement test. For the concrete operational reasoners, the treatment group performed better in the subtests of understanding and application than the control group. For students at the formal and transition levels, however, the treatment group scored lower than the control group. Significant interactions were also found in the perceptions of classroom environment and laboratory environment. For the concrete operational reasoners, the treatment group showed more positive perception than the control group. For the students at the formal and transition levels, the control group had positive perception than the treatment group. Educational implications are discussed.