This research was undertaken by a group of practising teachers as a collaborative effort to develop a cooperative approach to the teaching of Biology at Secondary School level. The research focussed on Grade 10 learners at three different schools over a period of one full academic school-year. During this time, four complete cycles within an action research framework were completed and reflected upon. Learners were then surveyed by means of a questionnaire and follow-up interviews. The reflective sessions, together with the responses from the questionnaire and interviews, provided a wealth of information with regard to the development of a cooperative approach to teaching. The cooperative classroom is vastly different from the traditional one. Here, new roles are assumed by both teacher and learner. Learners are largely expected to take charge of their learning experience in the classroom. The teacher, while still responsible for facilitating this learning experience, delegates authority to the learners. It was the experience of the group that the relationship between teacher and learner, as well as between learner and learner, vastly improved in the cooperative class where the participants were more relaxed. Over time, learners became more accountable in terms of their work and learning. Learners’ self-esteem and self-confidence grew, and the majority of learners indicated that their understanding of the work improved. Furthermore, the cooperative structure encouraged and developed self-discipline in the learners. In the early stages of this research, the group did find certain behaviour to be inhibiting: excessive noise, laziness, too much tomfoolery, and absenteeism. These problems were easily addressed within the action research framework, and were nearly non-existent by the end of the research. The group also found that: (i) cooperative lessons required more time than traditional lessons, often at the expense (justifiably) of the syllabus, and that: (ii) cooperative lessons played a major role in reactivating learner interest towards the learning process both in and outside the classroom.

Previous studies of lesson preparation groups (LPG; beikezu) have not dealt with the impact of LPG on teachers’ reflective practice. This qualitative case study was an exploration of LPG group leaders’ (beike zuzhang) facilitation of LPG meetings (beike zuhui) to gain insights on reflective practices in LPG meetings. The study involved 54 participants: 29 participants (LPG group leaders and teachers) were interviewed and observed; 20 participants (teachers) were observed; and 5 participants (school leaders) were interviewed. In addition to in-depth interviews and on-site observations, two questionnaires were used to expose a holistic picture of group learning and reflection in LPG meetings. The results indicate school leaders’ perceptions and values of reflective practices have an influence on the interdependence of LPG group leaders’ preparation and facilitation of meeting content and teachers’ attitudes and engagement toward reflection in LPG meetings. School leaders expected teachers to engage in reflection inside and outside of LPG meetings, but teachers’ practices were not aligned with school leaders’ expectations, given the differing understandings of LPG goals. Schools did not have evaluative plans for reflection in LPG meetings. LPG group leaders prepared teachers to understand the upcoming week teaching content and progress. However, LPG group leaders lacked facilitation skills for encouraging reflective group discussions. They were also reluctant to deal with group dynamics challenges proactively. Teachers’ experiences of reflection depended on the purpose of meetings and meeting agendas. Teachers were more likely to engage in reflective discussions with colleagues when LPG meetings involved clear purposes, guiding questions, constructive feedback, and guided future actions. The creating reflective practice in LPG meetings model was proposed to address the interdependence between stakeholders, with the mindsets and skillsets needed for LPG group leaders and teachers. The research results represent a step toward developing school-based reflective practice professional learning communities (PLCs).