A Discussion Of "Small Group Formation" In Cooperative Learning Of Politics In Senior High School

Cooperation in society is of increasing importance as a result of globalisation. In accordance with these developments, it is necessary to develop students’spirit and ability in cooperation. For this reason, the national paper "Key Points in Foundational Education Curricula Reform (Draft)" encourages development of discussion and cooperation ability in students, as well as cooperative learning.Cooperative learning is a new educational method, stemming from the1970s US. That cooperative learning is essential is clear from its development in the historical contexts of the US and China. In addition, learning to cooperate has been defined internationally as a necessary component of cooperative learning. As new curricula changes take place nationwide, exploration into cooperative learning is deepening, with clear results. At the same time, a literature study and classroom observation has uncovered common problems in practice, including certain students ending up taking on most if not all responsibility, leaving others with nothing to do. These problems show that the students are not able to apportion duties and learn how to cooperate. Looking at the underlying reasons, from the values level, it appears that learning to cooperate has not been seen as a key value to cooperative learning. From an educational goal level, training in cooperative spirit and ability has not been set as a goal. From an educational method level, it appears that there has been a lack of emphasis on small group formation or on its place in cooperative learning. Small group formation is an important part of cooperative learning. In the process of small group formation, communication between group members leads to knowing each other, mutual understanding and reliance. These interactions lead to formation of common vision for the task assigned. Furthermore, roles and duties can be assigned, forming a foundation for cooperative goal completion. Small group formation is an important stage in cooperative learning, a crucial stage in learning to cooperate. The process of small group formation develops students’spirit and ability of cooperation through their interactions, therein being a necessary part of the educational goal that students should learn to cooperate. There are many ways for small groups to be formed."Approved Companions in Cooperative Learning Small Group Formation"is a practical, efficient, enjoyable, manageable small group interaction game. All those involved in senior high school political thought cooperative learning should explore multifaceted small group formation methods and strategies.Cooperative Learning Small Group Formation"with three classes from the freshman year of Guangxi Du’an Senior High School to investigate senior high school political education small group formation, achieving measured results.This research focused on four areas of investigation, as detailed below:In part one, the problem was introduced. From a literature review and class observations, it is clear that cooperative learning in our nation is often marked by certain members of small groups taking on most if not all the tasks, meaning that other group members are left with little to do. This shows the lack of delegation and inability to learn cooperation.In the second part, the problem is analysed as one of not clarifying the value of cooperative learning. Starting from the background of cooperative learning and definition, the value of cooperative learning should be learning to cooperate. This part also demarcates the concept of cooperative learning.In the third part, the reason why students are not able to be trained to learn cooperation is because "small group formation" has not been incorporated into the process of cooperative learning, neglecting the importance of "small group formation" in "learning to cooperate". This part also demarcates the concept of "small group formation" and argues for "small group formation" as an important part of cooperative learning.In the fourth part, a solution,"Approved Companions in Cooperative Learning Small Group Formation", is proposed for the problem outlined above and tested out on senior high school political thought small groups. Good results were discovered using this method in three freshmen classes from the author’s workplace:Guangxi Du’an Senior High School. Lastly, problems arising from attempts to implement this teaching methodology were reflected upon and solution strategies proposed to inspire and lay the ground for future exploration.Three unique themes in this dissertation are:1. Proposing that small group formation is an important component of cooperative learning, an important part of "learning to cooperate". Small group learning in this dissertation refers to the process of small group members getting to know each other, affirming each other as small group partners, formation of a common goal, delegating responsibilities and appointment of small group leaders. The process of affirmation involves continuous communication concerning conflicts along the way. It also lays the foundation for cooperatively completing the task of the small group. This dissertation utilises sociological symbiosis and learning system theory as the basis for small group formation.2. Theory and practice are integrated in the author’s workplace of Guangxi Du’an Senior High School.3. It has been a positive attempt to carry out cooperative learning practice in a region characterised by the elderly and very young, remoteness, mountainous and poverty.