Practices and Challenges of Cooperative Learning in Selected College of Arsi University: As a Motivational Factor on Enhancing Students' Learning

The objective of this study was to examine the practices and challenges of cooperative learning as a motivational factor on enhancing students' learning in selected colleges of Arsi University. This research has mixed approach both qualitative and quantitative; while its method is descriptive and explorative in their nature. The total sample of the study was 421, 330 graduate students, 85 instructors and the 8 deans and vice deans were included as a sample through stratified random sampling technique. Instruments employed in this study included questionnaire, semi-structured interview and observation. For questionnaire a five point Likert scale was adopted. Frequencies, percentage, mean and SD was used to analyze the data. Information generated from interview and classroom observation was described qualitatively. The findings indicate that instructors and students have positive attitudes towards cooperative learning and they prefer it to lecture-style. The findings suggest that training in cooperative learning is important to implement it. Accordingly the following findings were obtained: instructors' lack of knowledge and training on cooperative learning; students' lack of interest to participate in cooperative learning and passive style of learning; lack of enough support from administrative and unavailability of instructional materials were among the challenges which hinder the implementation of cooperative learning. Consequently, instructors are practicing traditional teaching methods. Similarly, students indicated that they are not willing to participate in group discussion while the researcher observed in the actual classroom. The challenge for instructors is to develop skills to facilitate positive teamwork experience among their students who will need to interact with each others in transnational teams in the workplace of the future. It can be recommend, providing adequate administrative support, preparing supplementary materials, preparing cooperative learning training for instructors and inviting experts to share experience about cooperative learning. Cooperative learning method should be adopted by all instructors as an effective learning strategy in order to improve students' learning.