NUMBERED HEADS TOGETHER

NUMBERED HEADS TOGETHER
1. DEFINITION
Numbered Heads Together is a cooperative learning strategy that holds each student accountable for learning the material. Students are placed in groups and each person is given a number (from one to the maximum number in each group). The teacher poses a question and students “put their heads together” to figure out the answer. The teacher calls a specific number to respond as spokesperson for the group. By having students work together in a group, this strategy ensures that each member knows the answer to problems or questions asked by the teacher. Because no one knows which number will be called, all team members must be prepared. This cooperative learning strategy promotes discussion and both individual and group accountability. This strategy is beneficial for reviewing and integrating subject matter. Students with special needs often benefit when this strategy is used. After direct instruction of the material, the group supports each member and provides opportunities for practice, rehearsal, and discussion of content material.
2. PROCEDURES
According to Trianto (2007 : 62), the teacher use four phase structure to asking the question for students in the class, they are :
a. Phase I : Numbering
In this phase the teacher divide the student into some groups consist of 3 to 5 person and each member of groups given number from 1 to 5
b. Phase II : Asking Question
Pose a question or a problem to the class and give the groups fifteen minutes oh “Head Together”
c. Phase III : Heads Together
The students put their head together to decide one appropriate answer making sure that every group member know the agreed upon answer.
d. Phase IV : Answering the Question
The teacher calls a number at random and only student with the number respond to the question

3. ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
A. The advantages of Numbered head Together (NHT) are:
1. Positive interdependence
The students are able to learn from each other. They must also work together to ensure there is one product to their learning. They must check that everyone can understand and answer the question.
2. Individual accountability
Students are accountable to each other for sharing ideas. The student may also be required to share their partner’s ideas to another pair or whole group. Every student must be able to give the group response to the question.
3. Equal participation
Each student within the group has an equal opportunity to share. It is possible that one student may try to dominate. The teacher can check this does not happen.
4. Simultaneous interaction
High degrees of interaction at any one moment all of the students will be actively engaged in purposeful speaking and listening
5. Multilevel
This kind learning can be used in any kinds of level, but of course it has to be adjusted with the material given.

B. The disadvantages of Numbered Head Together (NHT) are:
1. The smart student will tend to dominate so that it can make the weak students have interior and passive attitude.
2. The discussion process can go smoothly if there are students just simply copy the work of smart students without having an adequate understanding.
3. If there are homogenous group so it will be unfair for the group contained of weak students.
4. Likelihood that number is called, called again by the teacher, means that not all members of the group called by the teacher.

D. IMPLEMENTATION
a. Reading
Comprehension questions can be posed to groups, and students can work together to find the answers. For example, when reading a story, students can be given the task of analyzing one of the characters. They can be asked questions such as, “Which character traits are stated directly, and which are implied by the author?” and “What information do you get from the character’s speech and actions?”
b. Writing
Students can evaluate the quality of a piece of writing using a rubric. Have students review the writing as a group and assign scores as a group. Ask them to respond with their scores and rationale using the numbered heads together strategy.
c. Math
Numbered heads together can be used when solving math problems. Ask questions such as “What are the facts in this problem?” “Which strategy would be most appropriate?” and “What solution did your group agree on?”
d. Social Studies
NHT can be used after reading a chapter in a text, or after material has been presented. Ask clarifying questions about the text and have students find and discuss the answers. When groups are ready, review the answers using this strategy.
e. Science
NHT can be used in preparation for a test or quiz. Allow time for students to study together in their groups and perhaps create questions that might be on the test or quiz. Using the numbered heads together strategy, ask questions about the material that will be on the test or quiz.

4. CONCLUSION
Numbered Heads Together is Members of learning teams, usually composed of four individuals, count off: 1, 2, 3, or 4. The instructor poses a question, usually factual in nature, but requiring some higher order thinking skills. Students discuss the question, making certain that every group member knows the agreed upon answer. The instructor calls a specific number and the team members originally designated that number during the count off respond as group spokespersons. Because no one knows which number the teacher will call, all team members have a vested interest in understanding the appropriate response. Again, students benefit from the verbalization, and the peer coaching helps both the high and the low achievers. Class time is usually better spent because less time is wasted on inappropriate responses and because all students become actively involved with the material