Effects of cooperative learning model on achievement, retention and attitudes in science teaching laboratory practice course

In this study, the effect of cooperative learning model on academic success, retention and attitudes in science teaching laboratory course was examined.52 students that study Department of Elemantary Science Teacher at Education Faculty of Fırat University sampled this researchThe research was carried out by the teacher candidates who are at their 3rd year and formed randomly as an experimental and a control group. Cooperative learning model Student Teams Achievement Divisions method was applied in the experimental group and conventional learning method was applied in the control group. Mixed research design was applied on this research. as a pre-test and post test control group quasi-experimental design was used as a quantitative research method while interview technique was used as a qualitative research method. The study lasted eight weeks in the implementation process, including four hours per week in each group. Research datawas collected by academic success test developed for application, attitude scale and interview form consist of open ended questions. When analysing the data, frequence, percent, arithmetic average, standart deviation, and t test were used.Content analysis method was used in the analysis of the interviews. Obtained interview data encoded, themes created and analyzed in this context. According to the research results, it is seen that cooperative learning model is more effective on attitudes and academic achievement of the students and the retention of the knowledge. As a result of the content analyses it is understood that the students in the experimental groups embrace the cooperative learning methods that they experience and think that they are useful. Besides, the students state that their communication skills and senses of responsibility are incereased, the knowledege they learned is more persistent, and their attitudes has changed in a positive direction.