COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING
CONTEXTUAL
In
1983, there has been discussion among experts that only education in the United
States on how to achieve good teaching and student abilities is higher. The
discussion came to the surface due to report the National Commission on
Excellent in Education which states that the ability of students in the field
math, reading, and science in the U.S. is always measured with standard
measuring devices (standardized tests). Presumably it bothers expert career and
technical education. In addition, global economic factors, demands of an
increasingly competitive marketplace, technology is growing, and changing world
of work is often considered as factors that influence change in curriculum
Career and Technical Education (CTE). Moreover, changes in demographic
character of students, and growing knowledge about how to learn and teach
whatever is causing it to be effective, leading to a career and technical
education experts review the basic principles and methodology of engineering
education and careers.
LEARN TO SPEAK IN CONTEXT: THOUGHT VYGOTSKY
Has
long Lev Semenovich Vygotsky (1978: 118) states that his The best method to
teach reading and writing is not through formal teaching in the classroom, but
through the game situation. In addition, Vygotsky expressed his belief that
writing and speaking skills will flourish when students immersed in language
usage when students are in play situations. Thoughts expressed by Vygotsky
suggests that learning language skills will be easy and exciting when students
brought into the world of play that has unwittingly encourage students to using
the language he had learned naturally. When the play and language That there
has been a real learning process. It was said, because at the time that
children are faced with the use of whole language, relate directly to the needs
of the child (relevant), it faces is a functional language, the child face to
face with the real purpose of speaking activities, and with the use of natural
language is the child control the usage of the language. Why does the world
play so meaningful for the language learning process of children?
According Edelsky
(1986), if in the event an authentic language (natural) are the events that
have personal meaning, impression for himself, and meaning significant for
users of the language itself, there will be a transaction between reader and
text reading. When the transaction took place, a reader will constantly do
problem solving, and at the same time he built and improve psycholinguistic
strategies used in language learning. Through this transaction readable text that
serves as an intermediary for the development of reading and writing language
learners. Transactions between the text and the reader is based on opinion of
the concept of text Halliday and Hasan (1976:293-295) who argue that the text
is a unit of interaction semantics of a language. In the text there is unity
meaning by the context, a common thread that describes the relationship intact
between the facts with facts from which it originates environment. Furthermore,
Vygotsky saw language learning as a cultural activity of the complex (a complex
cultural activity). It was said, because in process of learning the language a
child is dipped into the crater of culture that takes into introduce children
to the use of language, both verbal and written. In civilized society, children
are familiar with an environment full of printouts. In the environment the
children interact and play with the printed matter long before he entered the
school. School is a new environment that the child should continue the role of the
original environment. Moreover, schools should able to develop and expand the
process of immersion of children into achieving literacy skills (immersion in
literacy). Schools can make an environment that is in it as a richer literacy
environment of the home environment of children before. This is where teachers
can be a cold-handed mediator capable of making children feel at home in
school, because school transformed the atmosphere into the crater of literacy
immersion richer and more appeal to children. Language in school activities is
conditioned as a world filled with the atmosphere of speaking, whether oral or
written, the authentic (authentic speech or literary event).
STUDY IN THE CONTEXT OF DYEING LITERACY
A first question to be answered is whether learning outside
class different from learning in the classroom? Perhaps one answer is
different, because learning outside the classroom is to learn spontaneously,
while learning in the classroom is learning an orderly, planned, and
scientific. If that be our choice, then we belong to the class who think that
science concepts can be learned in the classroom environment must be
substantively different from what can be learned outside the classroom. Goodman
and Goodman (in Moll, 1993: 229) argues that learning in within and outside the
classroom should not be different. There are factors that bind to both, so that
learners with different conditions were the same. Factor mentioned is that
learners taught through the experiences of Indo language, linguistic schemata
are grown, and grown language skills. Schemata of experience and growth that
then grow a personal understanding of the functions and rules of language, also
grew well as an understanding of a child on the influence of the surrounding
environment to the process of language learning. The development of language
skills in the child is formed by two forces. First, the inner strength that
encouraged children to express him. The second strength lies in the need to
communicate with others who were then able to direct the growth of children's
language to fit with language or language family in the neighborhood children.
The establishment of these language skills can take place due to the
"language of two-way transactions" (language myriad transactions)
among children with other community members, both in school and outside school.
In the transaction, the language is growing in self-testing of children facing
land, which is through the understanding or misunderstanding interacting
parties, and also from the responses given by participant transaction. Thus,
the presence of parents, relatives, neighbors child's age, parenting helper
huge role in encouraging the growth of language development in children through
the transaction process. As for school, classroom teacher attendance, bench
friends, classmates, seniors who play a role as a supervisor is the perpetrator
transactions that encourages growth and development of language proficiency of
students in the event the transaction. Children do not imitate language of
adults and children had never learned the rules of language out of context its
use. Rules of language and social rules of their use was found by children
individually in the context of language use, and in turn these rules by the
children adapted to the social norms when he learns to use the language being
learned is.
BUILDING A CLIMATE IN COLLABORATIVE LEARNING LANGUAGES
CONTEXTUAL
The critically important thing to do is create a climate of
learning the students. Berns and Erickson (2001) asserts that the creation of
an environment that encourage self-regulated learning is the realization of the
basic requirements contextual learning. Climate is expected to learn the
meaning of linking content lessons in the context of student life, as revealed
by Berns and Erickson (2001), that the connecting content with context is an
Important Part of Bringing meaning to the learning process. in the classroom
contextual language learning, teachers and students are transactions
reciprocal. That is, traditional attitudes of teachers who stated that every
teaching conducted by the teacher can fully control the learning is considered
too simplify the learning problem. Contextual language learning requires
changes in teacher attitudes, as emphasized by Vygotsky (Weltsch, 1985), that
teachers must begin to realize the power of the transactions in the classroom.
Therefore, teachers must plan well these transactions, including by building
mutual respect between teachers and students. It was here, the incident was a
reflection of learning a language event happen- on in the community: Teachers
appreciate the efforts made by the students, guiding students to be able to
assess itself and mutually respectful of each other, and with the creation of
conditions that would be realized so that mutual respect. This is similar to
the statement of Goodman and Goodman (in Moll, 1993: 235) which states that,
"One teacher's key to success is building an atmosphere of mutual respect
in Their cooperative learning classroom. these Become social communities where
teachers value each learner, help the Learners to value themselves and each
other, and win the respect of Their students. "Changes in teacher
attitudes as mentioned above can not be interpreted as reduce the authority and
responsibilities of teachers. Desired change of attitude toward teachers is
that teachers lead their students with the knowledge that he was present at environment
of students with more experience and knowledge that many of them, and he was
present there because he respects the rights of their students. Therefore, when
present among students, teachers will try to understand his students, to know
whether students experiencing learning or not, and teachers ready to provide
encouragement and facilities needed by students. Teacher to class with a
contextual approach is a teacher who has worked with students, and create an
atmosphere of creative learning (learning atmosphere).
To build a
learning climate in the language classroom, teachers can change the role in
accordance with the desired climate. There are 4 kinds of roles that can be run
by teachers:
1)
Teachers as decision
initiatives
A good
teacher is one who is full of initiative. That way the teacher did not be
passive. Among the things to be done by teachers is to create creative learning
context. In addition, teachers must take the initiative in encouraging spirit
of his students to learn to solve problems, identify, and discover their needs.
2)
Student teacher as
observer
A good
teacher should be skilled at observing students, both when child care was work
or play. Teacher in class with this contextual approach to the development of
skills students need to know. According to Vygotsky (Goodman and Goodman,
1993), teachers should try to know the Zone of Proximal Development of each
student.
3)
Teachers as mediator
Redefinition
of the term learning requires a redefinition of the term of teaching. Optimal
learning requires teaching skills that can support and facilitate learning,
without clamping, without giving pressure, without damaging, or blocking the
realization of learning. As a mediator, teacher is present in the midst of
their students to encourage interaction. As a mediator in reading and writing
lessons, teachers should be in between student and text. Teachers can ask
questions whose answers will guide students to the problems inherent in the
text, giving provocation, directs students' attention to things that are
strange, invites students to more carefully observe certain parts of the text,
helping students with the concept or scheme that can expand the horizons of
student thinking.
4)
Teacher as a liberator
The
difference between the teacher's role as mediator and teacher intervenes
located the presence or absence of the freedom given by the teacher to student,
or there Whether or not the pressure exerted by teachers against students.
Intervention happen if the teacher controls the class with strict controls,
giving guidance signs are very curb the learning process, so that treatment
inhibit the growth of the teacher students' self confidence. Paolo Freire
(1970) distinguish between the views education as a treat students like someone
to save money in the "bank" and treat students as
"liberators". If the student as a bank, a teacher who put the
knowledge into the head students little by little, and students do not perform
any power. By contrast, if the teacher as a liberator, he gave freedom to the students,
so that students feel empowered.
COOPERATIVE LEARNING STRATEGIES IN CLASS LEARNING LANGUAGES
CONTEXTUAL
Teaching and learning strategies are important in learning
activities teaching in the classroom, because with these strategies teachers
can create learning conditions that support the achievement of learning
objectives. In addition, teaching and learning strategies chosen and used well
by teachers can encourage students to actively pursue learning activities in
class (Oxford,1990:1).The selection of teaching and learning strategies should
be based on consideration of placing students as learning subjects that are not
just passively accept what is delivered by the teacher. The teacher should
place students as beings who are naturally have the experience, knowledge,
desires, and thoughts that can be utilized to learn, both individually and in
groups. The strategy chosen by teachers is a strategy that can make students
have a belief that himself capable of learning, which can exploit the potential
of students to its fullest. Strategy teaching and learning such characteristics
is a cooperative strategy Learning. Cooperative Learning is a kind of group
learning that involves four to six students. Within this group, students work
together other students under teacher supervision to resolve the issue provided
by the teacher. In the discussion group, the students can express opinions and
to a student who was appointed as group leader can take the initiative to
conclude the discussion. Shepardson (1997:10-10) mentions several
characteristics of Cooperative Learning (cooperative learning) as follows:
1.
Teachers should always
strive for interaction between students who are in a group (student-to-student
interaction.) Cooperative learning strategy does not justify allowing a student
teacher is too dominated the discussion. Teachers have an obligation to control
the course of this group learning activities. Teachers must be can create
conditions that can provide equal opportunity to each member of the group for
opinions, submit a summary, maintained, or even provide a way out if the
discussion is experiencing congestion.
2.
Teachers should create
a positive interdependence among group members. That is, each group member must
be pursued involved in this study. By way of giving a prearranged turn,
teachers can make students force themselves played a part in the group.
Teachers need to explain to group that each member should familiarize
themselves with the good opinion of listening to other members, and must learn
to accept others' opinions if what other people think it's better than the
opinion itself. Therefore, students who are good at can help another friend to
chip in mind.
3.
The ability of each
member of the group counted fairly (individual accountability). In the
cooperative learning groups of no participants expressed the opinion that
allowed a voluntary basis. Under the deal that has been made previously, each
group member will express an opinion. Therefore, the turn, a member of the
group will receive a hostess duties of teachers, such as group leader, as the
framers of the discussions, or as a transmitter of the discussion.
4.
The strategy
emphasizes cooperative learning on achievement of common goals (group process
skills). This strategy teaches students to exchange information, teach each
other group members that have not been able to, and mutually menghar gai
opinion of its members. The process of reaching an agreement this group
practiced and grown during the discussion in progress.
5.
Members of this
cooperative learning groups should not be too big, moving from 4 to 6 people.
Group of this size provides the possibility for members to exchange ideas. In
addition, teachers are also easy to oversee the process of learning that
emphasizes the cooperation among the members of this group. With a group that
is not too large, students who have a mental barrier, shy, or lack of
initiative, may request assistance to other members, or gradually be encouraged
to participate actively in the learning process group (Shepardson, 1997;
Johnson et al., 1992).
Stages of Implementation of Cooperative
Learning
Stages that can be taken on the use of cooperative learning
strategies in the classroom with a contextual approach include: (1) division of
the group, (2) division of duties, (3) the implementation of group discussion,
(4) implementation of a class discussion.
Distribution Group
In accordance with one of the principles of cooperative
learning, group division is based on the heterogeneity of students. Members of
the group have different capabilities as far as possible with the intention
that the group members are enabled to increase its ability to lower after
interacting with members of the higher-capable. In other words, grouping
students through cooperative learning has advanced so that students with higher
ability have a positive effect on the lower. The effort is in accordance with
the statement that was popularized by Johnson and Johnson (2001), which swim or
sink together. In addition to setting the group members based on the
capability, the distribution of group members also noticed the large number of
members in a group. Cooperative Study groups should try to get the number of
members in a group are not too large, ranging between 4-5 people, so that learning
is intensive interaction among members groups and teachers are easier to
control. One who gets appointed as the coordinator responsibilities shared
duties to members of his group, among other duties as registrar, messenger
discussions, and answering questions for other groups. The tasks that have been
given to each each member is only valid for one round, or completion of a task
given by the teacher to the group.To maintain that the students do not depend
on other students, on the next round of duties as chairman, registrar, and
conveys the results of the discussion can be exchanged to other members. The
very need to get the attention of teachers at the turn of the task is that the
rotation is intended to familiarize a student get the same heavy duty. More
important than that, so that the valuable experience gained was not only
brilliant student who usually dominate the opportunity within the group.
Division of Duties
At the beginning of a discussion group, the teacher
re-emphasize the importance of principles of cooperative learning, namely, that
each group member must have the same feelings, that sink or swim together
(Johnson and Johnson, 2001). Through this principle, is expected to grow
awareness of each member of the group to share knowledge and experience they
have, appreciate the opinions of others, and willing to reach out to help group
members to the group successfully completed the task of each group. After
dividing the class into groups, the next step is to assign tasks to these
groups. The task is a task group that intended by the teacher prepared for
discussion by the students in a group. In this discussion, teachers try to
realize the nine steps of learning called by Nunan (1992: 17-24) as a
negotiation like this continuum.
in this small group, teacher, first of all explore
students' understanding of the goals they wish to achieve together. Return of
learning the principles of cooperative learning are reminded to heed together.
Furthermore, with their understanding of that, each group moves to start a
discussion .. In the third step, the teacher let the exchange of ideas
occurred. At this stage, students are allowed to discuss according to the
catchment understanding and improve skills they possess respectively. The
involvement of teachers allowed to keep only the first stage of this discussion
group do not get stuck or jammed. If assistance had to be given, teachers
should ensure that students remain entitled to decide for themselves what they
think is right. Help teachers they consider to be one of the alternatives that
they can develop further. If a group were active and successful, the teacher is
only acting as an observer ( observer). If such a situation is created, then
the cooperative learning has reached the fourth step, namely to keep the
confidence of each member of the group continues to grow. Each group must
realize that learning could occur if each member of the group was convinced
that he capable of. Cooperative learning will materialize if group members are
better able to willing to donate their ability so that other group members
"Do not drown". The fifth step is to help students identify ideas,
opinion, throw mind they have done in the discussion. This needs to be done
that the students used to think systematically and coherently. With teacher
guidance, thoughts, throw an idea, or any comment that could be list of
identification mind more can be well understood. However, it needs to be where
the position of teachers in this stage: teachers only serves as an alternative
provider, and the decision remains inside the group decision. This is in line
with the sixth step and Seven of Nunan (1992: 22), that teachers should
"Encourage learner choice and allow Learners to Generate Their own task
". Furthermore, the eighth step, students are given opportunity to
formulate their conclusions. In this activity, students are encouraged to
express his conclusions, and other students are encouraged to comment on the
conclusions peer group. At the very least, members of the the other group gave
approval to the conclusion of his friend. Finally, on the ninth step students
are given the opportunity to apply as a researcher, ie to synchronize records
of each member of the group for later put together to be a group report. This
is in line with the opinions of Heath cited by Nunan (1994: 23) that
"Students were asked ... to work together as a community of ethnographers,
collecting, interpreting, and building a data bank of information ... They Had
access to the knowledge I wanted, and the only way I Could get That knowledge
was for Them to write to me. "The report is used as the basis for The next
stage, which brought together a group with other groups which discusses the
same poem with the same approach. Two groups of The same critic's poems brought
together in a discussion between groups.
Group discussions with Cooperative
Learning Strategies
To complete the task with a good group, classroom teachers
with strategies cooperative learning to manage the distribution phase of this
task well. For that, in the distribution of this task, according to Johnson and
Johnson (2000), teachers should emphasize that the students tried to create a
partnership with members of the group. A group members should try to stick to
the guidelines that among each member of the group needs to have a positive
interdependence (positive interdependence) which can be revealed in deeds such
as sharing learning resources that support, provide support for the opinion
expressed by members of the group, and celebrate with the group's success in
completing the task group. In addition, the four basic elements of cooperative
learning to another, ie respect for individual donations (individual
accountability), tried to argue in the building of positive interactions
(face-to-face promotive interaction), trying to interact socially, and always
involved in a group must always be kept in process of task completion for each
group, after the group in where members and their duties, teachers establish
the working mechanism group, so that the responsibility of each member of the
group are good. Each member of the group, at the beginning of exercise, has the
task that has been established since the beginning (predetermined), namely a
chairman, a becomes registrar, one or more members of a resource, and the
remainder to convey the results of the discussion, or answering questions from
other groups. The division of tasks thus not necessarily be realized perfectly.
Therefore, individual accountability and group accountability can be applied in
stages, in accordance with conditions of each class.The division of the group
with members that are not too big aims to create interaction face to face so
they know each other more closely. This can be done by changing the way
students not to sit together with their habit everyday is sitting in a row and
not face to face. In strategy cooperative learning, the inner relationship
between students plays an important role for cooperation between group members
can be realized. Therefore, each group is placed in a position to sit in a
circle and close together, so they look more familiar. By way of sitting like
this a lot of cooperative effort that can be achieved, for example, ask
questions, check answers in the book, asking the meaning of a word or
expression, and lending to each other information sources that are not owned by
a member of the group. Even sometimes one member of the group told his
friends to ask something to the teacher mentor. Once the task is distributed to
each group, the teacher recalls aspects of what should be resolved
cooperatively. In the conduct focus group discussions, students are given the
freedom to choose place, in the classroom or outside the classroom. That is, so
they are more relaxed, not awkward or afraid when I express opinions, and
interpretations arise from thinking individuals in the group, or any of the
results of discussions among group members, or the conclusion of an individual
or a group after they were argue.Implementation of group discussions attempted
to walk naturally. The influence of teachers sought as little as possible. The
presence of teachers in groups of no more to monitor the discussion. The
teacher circulates from group to group to motivate, provide direction if
students encounter problems can not be completed by all members of the group,
answering questions does not concern the substance of the content of the task,
and other technical matters concerning the implementation of group discussions
in order to run optimally. In short, teachers could play a role as a
facilitator. If teachers are forced to answer questions that lead to answers
questions, teachers can advance students' knowledge of fishing, provide
possible answers that can come out of the question, and ultimately, teachers
let students make their own decisions.
In the process of observing,
facilitating, and drive mechanisms for collaboration in the study group with
cooperative learning strategies, teachers strive to pay attention to five
things that are emphasized by Johnson et al. (1990: 71-72) :
1.
Each member of the
group sought to remind each other to always pay attention to the questions to
be answered together. Each group members must be sure that he understands what
must be answered in the study group, and should also be aware that other members
in group also have the same understanding.
2.
Inter-group
cooperation among members should be extended in several ways, such as asking
questions or interpretations of the meaning of a word or array in the poem,
adding thoughts opinion on a group of friends that have been made previously,
or any other method that appears in the discussion in progress.
3.
Teachers record all
group efforts that lead to cooperation between group members. Positive efforts
are then transmitted to other groups so that the level attained by a
cooperative group can also be perceived by other groups. For example, a group
trying to understand overall meaning of the poem by reading the poem turns
intotask group. With silent reading, a poem can be understood by better,
because by reading the right way, listeners can find not meaning contained in
the poem; selection of colors sound, pressure, expression faces, and movements
of poetry readers when reading a big impact to the understanding of poetry.
4.
The techniques work
together within each group are considered good notre by the teacher.
Furthermore, the techniques discussed at the first pause in the a meeting
attended by two groups that analyze the poem with the same technique. In the
next round, new techniques were tested and the observed effectiveness.
5.
The group that had
finished answering the questions made by the teacher as leading questions
assigned to write the results of their discussion. Later, members of the who
had been appointed previously requested submit results of their discussion on
the future the class. On this occasion, the level of cooperative students not
only be on small group cooperation, but cooperation in a group that is greater.
Discussions Between the Same Group
In the discussion among the same group, two groups of
problems critic The same mutually irreconcilable. Its purpose is to see the
difference in results between the two groups in question. For example, Group 1
was presented to Group 2, Group 3 presented to the Group 4, Group 5 presented
to the Group 6 and Group 7 Group 8 is faced with. Discussions between the
groups could account for any difference between the interpretation of results
caused by (1) lack of accuracy of understanding the tasks / questions, (2) the
difference perception of concepts, terms, terminology, and (3) differences /
diversity of knowledge and experience possessed. However, through the guidance
of teachers of all obstacles that could addressed and the interpretation of
students still recognized as an original interpretation. Of discussion among
this group to learn the new results obtained for experience sharing with other
groups. In meetings between groups of discuss this same issue, expanded
learning environment. Inner relationships between group members who have united
to try reunited with the other groups. This action certainly change the
atmosphere of a mind that is calm. efforts required certain that intergroup
competition does not appear, because this meeting could lead to efforts to
maintain the results of group discussions. Teacher re explained the importance
of working together and learning together. She stressed the importance dictum
Cooperative Learning Strategies, namely Swim or Sink together. Work with both
so that tasks can be solved by both groups and with better results of the
results achieved by one group.
The results of two group discussions were
presented in the class discussion.
Meanwhile, the results of previous study also remained an
important document for further discussion. Concrete outcome of discussions between
groups is the increased ability, courage, and initiative participants who
previously seemed passive.
Class Discussion
Based on discussions between groups the same, the students
have gained understanding and experience of others from the previous
understanding. The next step is a discussion class. Class discussion is
intended to obtain another input of different groups. Thus, the acquisition of
student learning increasingly rich, broad, and deep. Prior to class discussion,
first set that the two groups that discuss the same issues rolled into one
group. Thus, class discussion followed by the four groups. Despite being a
member of the group, right to ask or refute remain on each individual. It is
intended to foster individual responsibility and group all at once.
In summary, cooperative learning in the classroom has
contextual characteristics the following. First, cooperative learning can
increase the frequency of cooperation among group members. Second, cooperative
learning can reduce the urge to compete, so that students do not mind sharing
their knowledge and skills have. Therefore, the teacher gives credit to all
efforts to work together, students also encouraged to involve members of the
group in an effort to understand the task or conclusions of the results of
their discussions. Third, learning atmosphere groups seem more fun because the
burden is not borne difficulties by individual students. This study group, is
not realized by the students, led each group member perform tasks for the
benefit of the group. Fourth, cooperative learning helps improve the ability to
work together in teams, practicing respect for the opinion of other group
members, and encouraged to create a sense of confident members of the group:
that he could donate his mind to interests of the group task completion. Fifth,
cooperative learning can improve learning outcomes is more optimal because of
the opinions and conclusions that came out was opinions and conclusions of the
group. Sixth, cooperative learning provides a useful experience that doing
things together and mutual respect from the other one will give better results.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the enlarged group meeting this gradually
attitude led to study with as below.
1.
Cooperative learning
can reduce distrust a person who feels less able.
2.
Encouragement from
members of the group was able to cultivate a sense of confidence students, that
he is able to contribute ideas that are useful for solving task group.
3.
For students who are
relatively more capable, successful co-operative Learning Strategies reduce the
tendency to compete. Another attitude that successfully grown in this group of
students is the emergence of encouragement to help members other groups to understand
the problems and complete tasks that become the responsibility of the group.
4.
This strategy can also
be shown that the ability of each student who rarely occurs when learning in
the classical style was gradually boldly displayed through the encouragement of
the group.
5.
Cooperative learning
strategies can also show that learning in groups small, cohesive and willing to
work together to encourage students to dare to try an opinion, offer solutions
to problems facing the group, and dare to take action that is "risky
one", because individual persons are not revealed an error in this
learning strategy. that there is the result of learning together. With
attitudes like this, all members are expected have the same feeling: the
success or failure are the property of the group.
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