Cooperative Learning as a Democratic Learning Method

In this study, the effects of applying the cooperative learning method on the students’ attitude toward democracy in an elementary 3rd-grade life studies course was examined. Over the course of 8 weeks, the cooperative learning method was applied with an experimental group, and traditional methods of teaching life studies in 2009, which was still in force, was applied with a control group. A significant and positive difference was found to the benefit of the experimental group, considering the posttest scores of the experimental and control groups on the democratic attitude scale. It was determined that the cooperative learning method has significant effects on the democratic attitude levels of students. With reference to the assumption that it is necessary to impress a consciousness of democracy and democratic values upon individuals from an early age, it has been found that significant gains can be obtained by applying the cooperative learning method in primary schools in terms of building a democratic society.