An Examination of Social Science Learning Outcomes Using Group Work and Individual Assignments: Educational Strategies in Focus

Irma Irma; Suarlin Suarlin; Nawir Rahman

Authors

Irma Irma Department of Economic Education, Postgraduate School, Universitas Patompo, Makassar 90233, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Suarlin Suarlin Faculty of Science Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar 90222, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Nawir Rahman Department of Economic Education, Postgraduate School, Universitas Patompo, Makassar 90233, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Keywords:

teaching methods, learning outcomes, student engagement, individual assignments

Abstract

This research aims to provide valuable insights into utilizing group work and individual assignments within Social Studies education at the junior high school level. It adopts a quasi-experimental research approach, focusing on the student population of Gowa Regency's middle schools. A sample of 60 students participated in this study, utilizing observation guidelines and curriculum-aligned tests as research instruments. Data analysis encompassed both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The research findings are significant, revealing the impact of teaching methods. The group work method applied in the experimental class resulted in noteworthy improvements in learning outcomes, evident through increased average scores in both pre-tests and post-tests. The individual task approach used in the control class also enhanced learning outcomes, as evidenced by improved pre-test and post-test scores. A comparative analysis between the average post-test results of the two groups, one employing the Group Work Method and the other the Individual Task Method, showcased a significant disparity. Students in the group work method class achieved notably higher learning outcomes in the domain of social studies in comparison to their counterparts in the individual task method class. These findings underscore the pedagogical effectiveness of group work strategies and individual assignments in the context of Social Studies education, providing valuable guidance for educators and policymakers looking to enhance the learning experiences of junior high school students.

References

Anggito, Albi, and Johan Setiawan. 2018. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif. CV Jejak (Jejak Publisher).

Arikunto, Suharsimi. 2019. “Prosedur Penelitian Suatu Pendekatan Praktik.” Jakarta: Rineka Cipta.

Bell, Stephanie. 2010. “Project-Based Learning for the 21st Century: Skills for the Future.” The Clearing House 83(2):39–43.

Bembenutty, Héfer. 2011. “The Last Word: An Interview with Harris Cooper-Research, Policies, Tips, and Current Perspectives on Homework.” Journal of Advanced Academics 22(2):340–50.

Brookfield, Stephen D., and Stephen Preskill. 2012. Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms. John Wiley & Sons.

Cheng, Winnie, and Martin Warren. 2000. “Making a Difference: Usig Peers to Asses Individual Students’ Contributions to a Group Project.” Teaching in Higher Education 5(2):243.

Clark, Richard, Paul A. Kirschner, and John Sweller. 2012. “Putting Students on the Path to Learning: The Case for Fully Guided Instruction.” American Educator 36(1):5–11.

Davis, Stephen F. 2008. Handbook of Research Methods in Experimental Psychology. John Wiley & Sons.

Dewey, John. 2023. Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education. Balaji Publications.

Espey, Molly. 2018. “Enhancing Critical Thinking Using Team-Based Learning.” Higher Education Research & Development 37(1):15–29.

Frey, Nancy, Douglas Fisher, and Dominique Smith. 2019. All Learning Is Social and Emotional: Helping Students Develop Essential Skills for the Classroom and Beyond. Ascd.

Gillies, Robyn M. 2007. Cooperative Learning: Integrating Theory and Practice. Sage.

Gillies, Robyn M. 2016. “Cooperative Learning: Review of Research and Practice.” Australian Journal of Teacher Education (Online) 41(3):39–54.

Hackman, Michael Z., and Craig E. Johnson. 2013. Leadership: A Communication Perspective. Waveland press.

Hattie, John. 2008. Visible Learning: A Synthesis of over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. routledge.

Hunter, James D., Jo Vickery, and Robyn Smyth. 2010. “Enhancing Learning Outcomes through Group Work in an Internationalised Undergraduate Business Education Context.” Journal of Management & Organization 16(5):700–714.

Idkhan, A. Muhammad, and Muhammad Maruf Idris. 2021. “Dimensions of Students Learning Styles at The University with The Kolb Learning Model.” International Journal of Environment, Engineering & Education 3(2):75–82.

Johnson, David W., Roger T. Johnson, and Karl A. Smith. 1984. Cooperative Learning. Interaction Book Company New Brighton.

Johnson, David W., Roger T. Johnson, and Karl A. Smith. 2014. “Cooperative Learning: Improving University Instruction by Basing Practice on Validated Theory.” Journal on Excellence in University Teaching 25(4):1–26.

Johnson, R. Burke, and Larry Christensen. 2019. Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches. SAGE Publications, Incorporated.

Johnston, Lucy, and Lynden Miles. 2004. “Assessing Contributions to Group Assignments.” Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education 29(6):751–68.

Keith, Timothy Z. 2019. Multiple Regression and beyond: An Introduction to Multiple Regression and Structural Equation Modeling. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge.

Kirk, Roger E. 2009. “Experimental Design.” Sage Handbook of Quantitative Methods in Psychology 23–45.

Kirschner, Paul A., John Sweller, and Richard E. Clark. 2006. “Why Minimal Guidance during Instruction Does Not Work: An Analysis of the Failure of Constructivist, Discovery, Problem-Based, Experiential, and Inquiry-Based Teaching.” Educational Psychologist 41(2):75–86.

Kothari, Chakravanti Rajagopalachari. 2004. Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Age International.

Loh, Raymond Chee-Yen, and Chin-Siang Ang. 2020. “Unravelling Cooperative Learning in Higher Education.” Research in Social Sciences and Technology 5(2):22–39.

Mazenod, Anna, Becky Francis, Louise Archer, Jeremy Hodgen, Becky Taylor, Antonina Tereshchenko, and David Pepper. 2019. “Nurturing Learning or Encouraging Dependency? Teacher Constructions of Students in Lower Attainment Groups in English Secondary Schools.” Cambridge Journal of Education 49(1):53–68.

McCombes, S. 2022. Descriptive Research: Definition, Types, Methods & Examples. Vol. 10. Scribbr.

Neuman, William Lawrence, and Karen Robson. 2014. Basics of Social Research. Pearson Canada Toronto.

Otter, Sue. 1992. Learning Outcomes in Higher Education. A Development Project Report. ERIC.

Rachmaniar, Rachmaniar, Muhammad Yahya, and Mustari Lamada. 2021. “Evaluation of Learning through Work Practices Industry Program at University with the CIPP Model Approach.” International Journal of Environment, Engineering & Education 3(2):59–68.

Slavin, Robert E. 2010. “Co-Operative Learning: What Makes Group-Work Work.” The Nature of Learning: Using Research to Inspire Practice 7:161–78.

Slavin, Robert E. 2011. “Instruction Based on Cooperative Learning.” Handbook of Research on Learning and Instruction 4(2):12–23.

Slavin, Robert E. 2015. “Cooperative Learning in Elementary Schools.” Education 3-13 43(1):5–14.

Smith, Karl A., Sheri D. Sheppard, David W. Johnson, and Roger T. Johnson. 2005. “Pedagogies of Engagement: Classroom‐based Practices.” Journal of Engineering Education 94(1):87–101.

Stockemer, Daniel. 2019. Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences a Practical Introduction with Examples in SPSS and Stata. Springer.

Suarlin, Suarlin, and Muhammad Ichsan Ali. 2020. “The Effect of Environmental Education Learning on Students at University.” International Journal of Environment, Engineering and Education 2(3):49–56. doi: 10.55151/ijeedu.v2i3.39.

Suarlin, Suarlin, Surabhi Negi, Muhammad Ichsan Ali, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, and Elpisah Elpisah. 2021. “The Impact of Implication Problem Posing Learning Model on Students in High Schools.” International Journal of Environment, Engineering and Education 3(2):69–74. doi: 10.55151/ijeedu.v3i2.61.

Sugiyono. 2011. Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif Dan R & D. Bandung: Alfabeta.

Tateyama-Sniezek, Karen M. 1990. “Cooperative Learning: Does It Improve the Academic Achievement of Students with Handicaps?” Exceptional Children 56(5):426–37. doi: 10.1177/001440299005600506.

Walker, Ann. 2001. “British Psychology Students’ Perceptions of Group-Work and Peer Assessment.” Psychology Learning & Teaching 1(1):28–36.

Yin, Robert K. 2009. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Vol. 5. sage.