Effect of Collaborative Learning on Academic Achievement of Senior Secondary School Students in Commerce

Collaborative learning is an instructional method in which learners at various performance levels work together in small groups towards a common goal. In this approach the learners are responsible for one another's learning as well as their own. Through collaborative learning approach, students have the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a common goal which enhances their social, ethical, cognitive growth and academic achievement (Vessels, 1998). Keeping in view the importance of collaborative learning in teaching learning process a study was conducted to determine the effect of collaborative learning on academic achievement of senior secondary school students in commerce. The study was conducted by using experimental method. Intelligence test (By SS Jalota) was used to match the control and experimental groups. Self made achievement test was used to determine the effectiveness of collaborative learning on academic achievement of senior secondary school students in commerce. T-test was used in order to analyze the data and interpret the result. The findings revealed that “collaborative learning” approach is superior to traditional method of teaching (Lecture method). The study also revealed that there is a significant difference between the group of students exposed to “collaborative learning” and the group of students taught through “lecture method” in their academic achievement in commerce. The achievement test result clearly shows that group of students who were exposed to “collaborative learning” (experimental group) possessed high academic achievement as compared to the group of students who were exposed to “lecture method” (control group).