Wilson-Jones, L & Caston, M. (2003). Cooperative learning on academic
achievement in elementary african american males. Journal of
Psychology: Elementary African American Males 31(4), 280-283
Purpose: The purpose of this article was to explore the learning styles of elementary African American males in Mississippi rural communities, in effort to determine instructional strategies that will enable academic success. The study focused on cooperative learning as a style that should be inserted into the educational setting of elementary African American males as a tool that will enhance their academic success. The researchers of this study believe that African American male’s comprehension of educational material is based on how teachers effectively use creativity and modern teaching styles to accommodate them in the classroom. The researchers believe that cooperative learning will increase the success rate of elementary African American male students in the areas of academic achievement, behavior and attendance, self confidence and motivation, and school and classmate satisfaction (Hudley, 1997; Quinn, 2002).
Method: The study was carried out through qualitative research, which emphasizes elaborate description of social or instructional settings (Slavin 2007). Data was composed of sixteen elementary African American male students through in person interviews. The interviews took place during the 2002-2003 school year in an educational atmosphere over a three month period within six separate occasions. Interviews lasted typically thirty minutes each session. In the course of the interview, students were asked series of questions pertaining to their learning styles, study habits, reading comprehension, feelings about school and others, and participation in group activities. The parents/guardians of the students were asked of consent through formal written request forms. Before the parents signed the forms, they had an opportunity to hear the details of the...