Abstract:

Cooperative Learning is one of the most interesting areas of educational research which attracts the attention of many educators and constitutes an alternative to traditional learning methods. The main ideas of Cooperative Learning provide opportunities for students to develop skills in group interactions and in working with others. In this paper, the researcher applied Learning Together (LT) technique of Cooperative Learning method on students’ Database system for Multimedia Technology. Learning Together technique was employed to experimental group and conventional teaching method was used for control groups.

The groups of students were the heterogeneous level involving both weak and strong students that work in teams to accomplish a common goal under conditions. The weaker students were improved from observing how better students approach problems, and the stronger students get an insight understanding of the topic by teaching others. The stronger students in each group shared their knowledge and understanding with the weaker students. With the Learning Together technique, the students learn by doing authentic activities more than by simply watching and listening. The students also improved both cognitive and affective domains. Motivational theories related to Learning Together technique focused on rewards and goals of the assignments.

The study on Cooperative Learning using Learning Together (LT) technique was conducted in order to improve students' achievement about Database System for Multimedia Technology. The purpose of this action research was to
1) compare the students’ achievement pretest and posttest the study,
2) investigate the students’ satisfactory while dealing with Learning Together technique.

The sample was 25 students who learned the Database System for Multimedia Technology in semester 1 of the academic year 2012. The students applied Learning Together technique when working with assignments about purchase order system design. The student pretest and posttest were analyzed. Percentage, mean and standard deviation, and average score (t - test) were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the achievement of a Database System for Multimedia Technology which had been learned by Learning Together is higher than the threshold 60 percent with statistical significance at 0.05 levels. The student’s satisfaction with Learning Together techniques was at a high level (Mean = 4.08, S.D. = 0.83).

Keywords:

Cooperative Learning, Learning Together technique.