The Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning in the Reading Classroom

Authors

Amelia Tankersley, University of North Georgia
Joshua A. Cuevas, University of North GeorgiaFollow

Abstract

This research examined the effectiveness of specific methods of cooperative learning on reading comprehension, motivation, and attitudes. The study implemented Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR) and the Jigsaw method in a rural public elementary school and included 60 participants from 3rd grade reading classes. One group used the CSR method to read information on four different topics while the other group read information on the same topics using the Jigsaw method. After controlling for initial attitudes, motivation, and global reading comprehension, the results indicated that neither of these methods led to greater gains in these areas than the other. However, when controlling for prior knowledge on the four specific topics, the CSR group made significant gains on all four posttests while the Jigsaw group only made significant gains on the first two tests. This suggests that the benefits of Jigsaw method may fade long term while CSR benefits may persist.

Author's Biographies

Amelia K. Tankersley is an elementary school teacher in Dawson County, Georgia.

Joshua Cuevas is an associate professor of education and educational psychologist at the University of North Georgia.

This is an original work

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Recommended Citation

Tankersley, A., & Cuevas, J. A. (2019). The Effectiveness of Cooperative Learning in the Reading Classroom. Perspectives In Learning, 18 (1). Retrieved from https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/pil/vol18/iss1/2