TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES IN CONDUCTING COLLABORATIVE LEARNING ACTIVITIES FOR SCIENCE IN MALAYSIAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Abstract

The Malaysian Education Blueprint 2013-2025 has increased emphasis on learning using projects and group work to support 21st century education goals in Malaysian secondary schools. In response to that, the current lower secondary science textbooks following the Integrated Curriculum for Secondary School (KSSM) have been revamped to include a majority of learning activities in the form of projects and group works. Since these activities are collaborative in nature, this study explores teachers’ views in conducting science projects and group works using the collaborative learning approach. Twelve teachers teaching lower secondary science subject in Malaysian national schools were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol and their responses were analysed using the conventions of thematic analysis. Findings include revelations on teachers’ understanding of collaborative learning, why teachers prefer collaborative learning activities for the lower secondary level, and classroom and instructional challenges in this matter. Recommendations have been made to better support teachers to deliver 21st century science education goals at the school level in similar contexts.