Effects of introducing the cooperative learning approach in Kosovo’s secondary school physics

Shala, Naser (author), Pavlin, Jerneja (author)

Kosovo ranks among the lowest in PISA science assessments. This may be due to the dominance of frontal work (FW) in secondary school science subjects, which leads to low student interest in these subjects. The cooperative learning (CL) approach, however, is a widely recognized pedagogical method that fosters engagement and enhances learning. This study aimed to examine the effects of CL on secondary school students’ achievements in physics lessons, particularly in thermodynamics. Key factors such as interest, social skills, and logical thinking were considered in understanding students’ achievements. A quasi-experimental pre-post design was employed, with data collected through paper-and-pencil tests assessing knowledge and logical thinking, as well as questionnaires on student interest and social skills. The study included 135 15-year-old students, divided into two groups: experimental (CL) and control (FW). The results revealed that the CL group significantly outperformed the FW group on the knowledge test, with notable improvements in students’ interest in physics and social skills. The study suggests that physics teachers adopt CL strategies to achieve multiple educational objectives.

• Language: English
• Keywords: cooperative learning, physics education, secondary school, social skills, studentachievements, student interest
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: PEF - Faculty of Education
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 11 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 21, iss. 8, em2682
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-171279
• UDC: 373.5:53
• ISSN on article: 1305-8223
• DOI: 10.29333/ejmste/16716
• COBISS.SI-ID: 246239491
• Publication date in RUL: 22.08.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Eurasia journal of mathematics, science and technology education
• Publisher: Modestum
• ISSN: 1305-8223
• COBISS.SI-ID: 17061128

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: sodelovalno učenje, socialne veščine, učenci, dosežki, zanimanja, fizika, srednješolsko izobraževanje