Effect of the Cooperative Learning Method on the Cognitive Ability of Students at the Thai Red Cross College of Nursing

Abstract

          Research was conducted using a one group pre-posttest design to 1) examine the effect of the cooperative learning method on cognitive ability, including knowledge, comprehension, application, and analysis of nursing students, and 2) explore students’ opinions relating to participating in the activity of the preparation of community health nursing and medical care before the nursing and midwifery license examination.  The subjects comprised 169 fourth year students from the Thai Red Cross College of Nursing. All subjects participated in the activity of the preparation of the community health nursing and basic medical care subject before taking the national nursing and midwifery license examination. Data was collected using test and questionnaire. The findings revealed that the average scores of cognitive ability after participating in the activity were higher than the prior scores. Considering the average cognitive ability scores for each level before and after participating in the activity, it was found that the scores of knowledge, comprehension, application and analysis after participating in the activity were higher than the prior scores. There was a significantly statistical difference (p <.05). This suggested that the cooperative learning  method could be applied to other subjects in order to enhance students’ learning ability and increase the intelligence of students.