Enhancing students' social abilities via cooperative learning and project-based teaching methods: Pedagogical approaches and beneficial outcomes

Abstract

The period of education in secondary educational institutions is deemed fundamental for instilling essential skills in students, as defined by recent legislation as competencies, upon which the overall quality of education hinges. These competencies, upon transition to higher education, evolve into professional qualities and specialized characteristics critical for career advancement. Social and civic competencies attained by education seekers determine an individual's communicative potential, ability to foster relationships, diplomatic prowess, understanding of equality, accountability for commitments and obligations, critical thinking aptitude, readiness to compromise, and teamwork proficiency. The adolescent and youth stage is perhaps the most pivotal for grasping the significance of these competencies. Consequently, educators must concentrate on devising constructive strategies for engaging with student and youth populations to cultivate fundamental social skills, facilitated through cooperative activities, group projects, collective interaction, and similar approaches. The study's outcomes affirm the imperative of nurturing social competences among education seekers and delineate effective collaboration methods. The article underscores that integrating group cooperation into the educational process expedites and fosters the development of social skills in teenagers and students.