Abstract:
The aim of the study is to establish the extent to which cooperative learning, as
Outcomes-Based Education methodology, has influenced the social interaction of
learners in the Foundation Phase in Thabong schools. The researcher wants to
establish the effect of cooperative learning on the social interaction of learners. The
researcher also wants to determine the degree of influence that cooperative learning
has on the social interaction of learners.
To achieve the above aims, the researcher used qualitative research as the research
methodology. Qualitative. research is preferred because it is useful for describing the
perspective of research participants towards events, beliefs, or practices. The research
tools that are used are interviews and observation which help investigate behaviour as
it occurs naturally in non-contrived situations.
The findings of this research are that cooperative learning enables learners to attend
to their school work whilst they interact socially. Cooperative learning also enhances
leadership qualities because cooperative groups have leaders and scribes. The
relationships of groups are also characterised by conflict and harmony which are
attributes of normal social interactions.
