The Practice of Collaborative Learning among Lecturers in Malaysia

Abstract

The research is conducted to examine whether lecturers at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perlis practise collaborative learning in their classrooms. If they do, what kinds of activities are carried out with their students and the reasons they are being carried out. In order to get the data needed for the study, questionnaires were distributed to the lecturers randomly i.e. 10 lecturers for each faculty. These lecturers are asked to rate their preferences for practising collaborative learning in their teaching. Then, the reasons for collaborative learning practices chosen in classrooms are scrutinized. It is hoped that the findings from the study will provide empirical data or feedback on lecturers’ preferences in teaching i.e. whether they like to ask their students to do group activities or not and also the types of activities done in groups with their students. By getting the information needed in the study, further steps can be taken in improving the lecturers’ teaching styles to suit the needs of the students in their learning in this globalization era. At the same time, these lecturers will be made aware of the needs to equip themselves with efficient, up- to- date teaching methods and knowledge so that students will learn more and acquire the soft skills needed in team work which are essential nowadays. Key words: Team work; collaborative learning; cooperative learning; group work; lecturers