Views of teachers on using cooperative learning in math lessons at 6th, 7th and 8th grades of primary school

This study is a qualitative research aiming to define the views of teacher on using cooperative learning in math lessons at 6th, 7th and 8th grades of primary school . The study group of the research includes 20 Math teachers working in the Malatya Province primary schools during 2011-2012 education period. The research data was collected by the survey including open ended questions and analyzed by content analysis. In the conclusion of the study, it shows that participants use the cooperative learning in their classes in general, they are able to define a basic definition of the cooperative learning and they believe that the usage of cooperative learning in math lessons at 6th, 7th and 8th grades of primary school is helpful from academic, social and psychological aspects such as helps the students to have a positive attitude towards Math, increase of success, sharing, interaction, self-confidence, consciousness of responsibilities, however it is seen that the knowledge of participants about the cooperative learning system is inadequate. While the participants have negative views about the cooperative learning as the time is not enough, the students are not enough eager to learn and there is a great difference between the levels of the students, it is not suitable for every topic and the teachers have difficulties in grouping the students and the cooperative learning can lead wrong learning or avoid to understand the individual success of the students; they also have some suggestions about solving these negative sides of the cooperative learning. It was defined that the views of the participants on using the cooperative learning in math lessons at 6th, 7th and 8th grades of primary school can differ in each field of Math class according to their evaluation for the fields of Math learning. It was concluded that the fields of learning can be put in order as geometry, numbers, measurement, the probability and statistics and algebra from the most positive view to the least. Key words: Math lessons at 6th, 7th and 8th grades of primary school, cooperative learning, teachers? views.