Students' perception of the application of cooperative problem-solving method and its effect on mathematics performance: The case of secondary schools in Awi-zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study focuses on high school students' perceptions of cooperative problem-solving learning in mathematics classrooms. Case study was chosen as a research design in this study. Participants of this study were grade 11 students of Dangila preparatory high school in Awi-zone, Ethiopia. The number of participants was 105. The data were collected using Structured Likert scale questionnaire consisting of 15 (fifteen) questions that focus on cooperative problem-solving learning and an unstructured interview. The quantitative data were analyzed using one sample t-test whereas the qualitative one was analyzed using narration on the basis of themes created as per the basic questions of this research. The results of this research showed that students had positive responses toward the implementation of cooperative problem-solving learning. The quantitative data revealed that cooperative problem-solving learning has great effect on students' learning and consequently on their mathematics performance. The qualitative data disclosed the generics skills of students and helped teachers to understand students' perceptions of their experience gained from the learning activities. Besides, it was found that students were familiar with group activities in mathematics classroom. To sum up, cooperative problem-solving learning is a good approach for the students to learn mathematics easily and perform better than before. On the basis of the findings, the researchers have forwarded relevant recommendations.