Abstract:

Cooperative Learning is a method of drawing attention in terms of providing ease of practice in teaching activities, being economical and applicable to all ages and groups. The method highlighting student-centered learning, learning by doing and experiencing has been used in developed countries since the 1960s. The method that has been used recently in our country is noteworthy because of the advantages and its positive results. The purpose of this study is to determine the prospective primary education teachers’ opinions on cooperative learning practices. The study group of this research consists of 25 prospective teachers who are first-year and evening education students at Artvin Coruh University, Faculty of Education in the department of Primary School Teaching in the fall semester of 2010-2011 academic year. In this study, qualitative research methodology has been used. Standardized interviews form was used as a means of data collection. The form generated with seven open-ended questions by the views of experts was applied to prospective teachers after the 14-week cooperative learning practices. Thematic content analysis was used to evaluate the data obtained from the interview form. The results of analysis have shown that the vast majority of prospective teachers have a positive outlook for cooperative learning practices. According to this, prospective teachers stated that cooperative learning prepares them in social life, they take active roles in the fulfillment of their responsibilities, they thought cooperative learning is enjoyable and instructive, this method should be used in other courses as well, It also keeps the motivation in courses high; when compared to traditional method, cooperative learning is more effective, this method meets the learning needs ;thanks to this method, they do group discussions by expressing their criticism and suggestions to each other without hesitation related to courses and practices, they found evaluation processes positively, the exams don’t cause stress on the students due to the cooperative method used as a learning tool.

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