Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the presence of a Training on social skills prior to an activity of Cooperative Learning (Training with CL) can promote more than a condition of Cooperative Learning (CL) only, the students' perception of social and academic support. Ninety-six students of fourth and fifth grade of primary school (48 males and 48 females) were involved. Of them, 51 (24 males and 27 females) have been involved in a training on social skills and in an activity of Cooperative Learning, while 45 (21 males and 24 females) only in an activity of Cooperative Learning. Social personal and academic support were measured through the "Classroom Community Scale". The results showed a decrease in academic social support in the condition of CL only. The need of a preliminary training to the introduction of cooperative activities in the classroom is discussed.