The Study on the Effects of Applying Cooperative Learning Model, Student Teams -Achievement Division to Engineering Education

Abstract

Problem solving by homework assignment is a process of practicing what were discussed in classrooms and thus is considered as an essential part of learning procedure in engineering education. We introduced the concept of cooperative learning, Student Teams-Achievement Division(STAD), to improve the students' learning efficiency by in-class problem solving. The instructor explained fundamental concepts, and lecture materials were handed out to compensate for the time of in-class team activity. Brief tests were given after every chapter, and team-based additional credits were given for the improvement comparing the average of previous tests of each student. This attempt of modified STAD was evaluated to have brought about a significant improvement in students' academic achievement, in addition to activating classroom atmosphere.