Implementation of Cooperative Learning and Guided Discussion Methods in Science Teaching to Improve Professional Skills of Student Teachers

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effects of a combined approach including cooperative learning and guided discussion methods in science teaching on student teachers’ achievements and their professional skills development. Theoretical framework of this combined approach was settled and implemented by the researcher’own experiences. Hence, action research method was chosen as a research methodology. Research sample consists of 133 (45+44+44) 3rd year elementary student teachers who take courses of Science Teaching I-II in the Department of Primary Education in the Faculty of Education at the Sakarya University in Turkey in the 2005-2006 (45) and 2006-2007 (44+44) education term. It was concluded that this approach provided practitioners with an increase in their academic achievement obtaining the chance for eliciting ideas and improving their professional skills in relation to the scientific process skills about effective science learning and teaching through their own teaching practice in faculty before actual teaching practice in school.