Graphic Organizer with Cooperative Learning

Abstract

newline The research investigates the effect of graphic organizer with cooperative learning method on the higher order thinking skills and creativity of senior secondary students in science. The sample included 150 students of Uttar Pradesh Board of Education, having Science as a major subject at Intermediate level, assigned randomly to each of the five groups. They were taught using lecture method in one group and four experimental groups had their respective teaching methodology, i.e. Mind Mapping with Cooperative Learning (MMCL), Concept Mapping with Cooperative Learning (CMCL), Graphic Organizer with Cooperative Learning (GOCL) and Cooperative Learning (CL). The instructional material based on the four teaching methods was developed and used in a Quasi-experimental setting with randomized pre-test post-test multi group design. In order to have a robust analysis, the well established tool of Sansanwal D.N. and Joshi A. (1989) was used for measuring higher order thinking skills. The research included construction of the tool for measuring scientific creativity. The quantitative data was complemented by qualitative one, i.e. interviewing the students and teachers of Science. The analysis of variance revealed a significant difference among the groups in terms of both scientific creativity and higher order thinking skills, further explored by post-hoc analysis. The findings revealed that scientific creativity and higher order thinking skills were strengthened using these four methods, and GOCL had the maximum effect.