The Effect of Cooperative Learning Strategy on Undergraduate Nursing Students Enrolled in Nursing Administration Course

Abstract

Todays, higher education emphasizes the importance of student centered learning. Further the aim of nursing education should be on the process of thinking and involve being proactive, collaborative and quality oriented. Cooperative learning is an approach to the aim of student-centered activities towards the attainment of the outcomes-based environment as required by accrediting and certifying bodies and agencies of higher education. Cooperative learning most often involves small groups of students who contribute to each other's learning. It is one of the innovative teaching strategies can be incorporated in the nursing curriculum for the better results and it is a great tool that can be used to enhance and promote higher student achievement.Therefore, a variety of teaching strategies have been designed to be used in teaching, ranging from teacher-centered strategies to more student-centered ones.Hence, the present study aims to assess the effect of cooperative learning strategy on undergraduate nursing students enrolled in nursing administration course at Faculty of Nursing, King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. A one-group before–after quasi-experimental design was used. The study was conducted at Faculty of Nursing at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. All nursing studentsenrolled in theeighth at the time of the study of the academic year 2015-2016were included in the study. Four tools were used for data collection namely; The Revised two-factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F), Teamwork perception survey, Students’ Self-Perception Leadership Questionnaire, and Students' Opinner Questionnaire Sheet.A major finding of the present study revealed there was statistical significant difference between the pretest and post-test mean scores of students' deep learning approach, team perception of learning and self-perception of leadership of student. While there was no a significant difference was observed between the pre-test and post-test mean scores for the surface approach to learning. It was concluded that  cooperative learning as a method and philosophy is an effective approach to fostering deeper approach to learning and improving communication skills of nursing students especially in interactive skills, team work, and their leadership abilities among nursing students. It is recommended to the successful introducing of cooperative learning in nursing education will improve professional performance.