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Journal of Psychology & Education

2010, 40(4), 29-44

Effect of cooperative learning on students academic achievement on the topic of algebra
in math course
*

Mohammad Reza Keramati

University of Tehran

Abuzar heydari rafat and

Aghil ghasemi khashab

Educational Planning

Ali Tahmasebi

History and Philosophy of Education

Abstract
Cooperative learning is an effective educational
strategy in improving the academic achievement of
students. Academic achievement in cooperative
groups is accomplished via promoting other
[students] success, through assisting, sharing,
mentoring and encouragement. The goal of a
cooperative learning group is to maximize all
members learning. To this end, this study examines
the impact of cooperative learning on the topic of
Algebra in math course between eight-graders in
Marvdasht city. 131 student (62 boys, 69 girl)
participated in this study. Cooperative learning was
employed to test groups and Conventional teaching
method was used for control groups. Previous
knowledge of students evaluated using a researcher
developed algebra academic achievement scale
(SAAA). The same scale was employed to determine
academic achievement after the implementation of
teaching methods. The results of this study revealed a
significant effect of cooperative learning method on
students academic achievement in algebra concept
in the test groups than control. In addition,
cooperative learning methods have similar effect on
academic achievement of male and female students
in test groups. This result indicates the success of
cooperative learning versus conventional teaching
methods.
Keywords:
cooperative
achievement, math, algebra

learning,

academic

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mkeramati47@yahoo.com :
Received: 02 Jun 2010
Accepted: 01 Feb 2011
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