Cooperative Learning as a Teaching pedagogy for Large Classes : Enhancing higher Order Thinking Skills

The issue of large classes is evident at all levels of education. Regardless of this being viewed as challenging to both the students and educators, appropriate teaching pedagogies should be sought, although the teaching method used is cooperative learning, however, if appropriately used, it can prove to be very helpful to teachers who are faced with the large class scenario. However, the author is of the view that cooperative learning should be used in all classes irrespective of the number of students in the class. He believes that developing students to work within a team is beneficial to them. This method of learning will equip them for their path into the Business Sector. Cooperative learning will be the theoretical framework for this study. The aim of the paper revealed that students need to have their higher order thinking skills enhanced. The objective was to identify the various forms of cooperative learning and how it enhances higher order thinking skills. Cooperative learning has positives and negatives; however, the positives outweigh the negatives. The author has taught on many occasions and has discovered cooperative learning to be very beneficial for him and the students. Students entering the employment arena soon need to learn how to function as a team and cooperative learning develops these skills. Within this study the author narrated how he has utilised cooperative learning within his classes. The paper finally showed how cooperative learning as a teaching pedagogy enhances students higher order thinking skills.