An analysis of educators' views on their effectiveness to use group work as a co–operative learning strategy

Abstract

The study was undertaken to analyse educator's views on their effectiveness in using group work as a co-operative learning strategy. Specifically the study aims to: To determine through literature the nature of group work as a co-operative learning strategy. To find out views of educators in their effectiveness of using group work as a teaching strategy. The investigation involved 208 educators from middle and secondary schools in Themba District. Close and open ended questionnaires were used for data collection. Results obtained showed that approximately 168 (80.76%) of the educators indicated their preparedness to use group work as a co-operative learning strategy. Results revealed that almost all the educators were willing to use group work as a co-operative learning strategy. However the study could not conclude that group work as a co-operative learning strategy has been applied effectively. The major problem faced by educators are skills requirements for using the strategy effectively. Other problem areas are:· it is time consuming, Jack of participation by learners, lack of learning resources. The following recommendations have been put forward: Pre-service training and in-service training should be made available to educators for the improvement of teaching and learning strategies in group work. Educators should be enlightened on how to use group work as an effective strategy. The educators should therefore be trained on the following: • Theory and philosophy of cooperative learning • Demonstration of co-operative methods • On-going coaching and collegial support at the classroom level • Training educators in maintaining product teaching approaches in order to curb useless time consuming activities.