Effects of cooperative versus individualistic learning on cognitive, affective, metacognitive and social processes in students

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of individual versus cooperative learning on different components of students' functioning. As a theoretical framework to analyse these processes we used CAMS model (Dansereau, 1986; O'Donnell & Dansereau, 1992), which includes four levels of students' functioning: cognitive (C), affective (A), metacognitive (M) and social (S). 373 fifth grade students (170 in experimental group and 203 in control group) from nine different primary schools participated in the research. In the experimental group cooperative learning was introduced for one in four lessons in two subjects: mathematics and Slovene language. The control group received the traditional way of teaching. Statistical analysis showed strong positive effects of cooperative learning on achievement in both subjects. No other variable showed differential change.