The effect of cooperative learning on 7th grade students? understanding of solutions

This research was carried out to examine the effects of cooperative learning method to 7th Graders? success on the subject of ?Solutions? in Science Lesson and also their attitude and motivation toward Science. For this aim, one experimental and one control group were randomly appointed from 7/A and 7/B classes in a primary school existing in Karasu District in Sakarya. The number of students which forms sample group is 61.Before the experimental application started, success test on the subject of solutions, attitude scale toward Science and students? motivation scale were applied to both of the groups in the second semester of 2007-2008 academic term. Lessons were worked out according to present teaching methods stated in program in control group and cooperative learning method in experimental group. Success, attitude and motivation tests were applied again to both of the groups in order to evaluate the effects of activities done at the end of the application to students? success in subject of solutions in Science Lesson and their attitudes and motivation toward science.In order to test research hypothesis, independent group t-test, analysis of variances (ANOVA) and Mann-Whitney U test were used. Results showed that compared with the present teaching methods in the program, cooperative learning method is effective in the success on the subject of ?Solution? in Science Lesson and motivations toward Science. No meaningful difference was seen in attitudes toward science, both in experimental and control group.