Effect of cooperative learning on academic achievement and opinions of the 10th grade students’ in the topic of nanotechnology at secondary level

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of cooperative learning on the academic achievement and the views of the secondary school students about Nanotechnology subject. Also, the effect of socio-demographic characteristics and the participation in an activity about Nanotechnology were investigated. The study was conducted with tenth grade students (N=127) studying at an Anatolian High School in İzmir. Pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design with control group was applied in the study. Cooperative learning method supported by game cards in experimental group and expository teaching strategy in control group were applied. The data of the study were collected via personal information form, academic achievement test about nanotechnology, structured opinion form, and semistructured interviews. Considering the results of the study, there was a significant difference in favor of the experimental group according to the post-test academic achievement scores of the control and experimental group students (p<.05). From the interview results; the experimental group students had better positive opinions than the control group, and also the control group students had negative attitudes such as lack of practice, boring and ineffectiveness of the course.