Collaborative Learning

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

A collaborative learning approach involves pupils working together on activities or learning tasks in a group small enough for everyone to participate on a collective task that has been clearly assigned. Pupils in the group may work on separate tasks contributing to a common overall outcome, or work together on a shared task.

Definition

Collaborative learning occurs when small groups of students work together to complete an academic task.

Collaborative learning is the educational approach of using groups to enhance learning through working together. Groups of two or more learners work together to solve problems, complete tasks, or learn new concepts. This approach actively engages learners to process and synthesize information and concepts, rather than using rote memorization of facts and figures. Learners work with each other on projects, where they must collaborate as a group to understand the concepts being presented to them. Through defending their positions, reframing ideas, listening to other viewpoints and articulating their points, learners will gain a more complete understanding as a group than they could as individuals.

Theoretical background

Collaborative learning is rooted in Lev Vygotsky's concept of learning called zone of proximal development. Typically there are tasks that learners can and cannot accomplish. Between these two areas is the zone of proximal development, which is a category of things that a learner can learn but with the help of guidance. The zone of proximal development gives guidance as to what set of skills a learner has that are in the process of maturation. In Vygotsky's definition of zone of proximal development, he highlighted the importance of learning through communication and interactions with others rather than just through independent work. This has made way for the ideas of group learning, one of which being collaborative learning.

Principles of collaborative activities

The learner or student is the primary focus of instruction

Interaction and doing are of primary importance

Working in groups is an important mode of learning

Structured approaches to developing solutions to real-world problems should be incorporated into learning

Characteristics of collaborative learning

A common task or activity

Small group learning

Co-operative behavior

Interdependence

Individual responsibility and accountability

Why Use Collaborative Learning?

Research shows that educational experiences that are active, social, contextual, engaging, and student-owned lead to deeper learning. 

The benefits of collaborative learning include:

Development of higher-level thinking, oral communication, self-management, and leadership skills.

Promotion of student-faculty interaction.

Increase in student retention, self-esteem, and responsibility.

Exposure to and an increase in understanding of diverse perspectives.

Preparation for real life social and employment situations. Engage in subject specific discussions with peers

Learn how to work cooperatively and support each other

Develop effective teamwork and communication (including interpersonal and cross cultural awareness) skills

Assimilate multiple views to deepen knowledge and promote critical thinking

Foster individual accountability to the team

Develop independent learning strategies

Advantages of collaborative learning 

Collaboration affects personality: increases openness, conscientiousness, agreeableness, trust and stability

Teamwork strengthens community bonds, socialization and both written and verbal communication

Collaboration increases measures of achievement

Group work increases subject matter comprehension, efficiency and productivity

Collaboration encourages cooperation and exposure to and acceptance of cultural diversity

Group work increases self-esteem

Collaborative learning increases student retention 

Aid the Development of Self-management Skills 

Development of Oral Communication Skills

Fosters the Development of Interpersonal Relationships

Disadvantages of collaborative learning

Certain individuals do not feel comfortable participating in a group setting, even at a distance (i.e. shyness, fear of criticism). This awkwardness may keep some individuals from benefiting from the instruction.

Since collaborative learning generally grants the students more control over the flow of information, there is the possibility that the focus of the instruction may veer from its intended course.

As with any group activity, some members may contribute while others do not. At a distance this may pose even a greater problem than if all students were in the same room.

Problems may result if group members cannot agree or will not compromise. This can prove to be a huge problem if the group project is to be graded at the group level.

It can often be difficult to assemble all members of a particular group at the same time, especially in a distance-learning environment. This is only a disadvantage in situations where the collaboration is a mandatory part of the instruction and not simply an option available to the students.

The abundance of information that a group generates can prove to be difficult to compile individually. 

Approaches of collaborative learning

Co-operative learning

Peer teaching

Discussion groups

Learning communities

Differences from cooperative learning

There has been a split regarding the differences between collaborative and cooperative learning. Some believe that collaborative learning is similar to, yet distinct from, cooperative learning. While both models use a division of labor, collaborative learning requires the mutual engagement of all participants and a coordinated effort to solve the problem whereas cooperative learning requires individuals to take responsibility for a specific section and then coordinate their respective parts together. Another proposed differentiation is that cooperative learning is typically used for children because it is used to understand the foundations of knowledge while collaborative learning applies to college and university students because it is used to teach non-foundations of learning. Another believed difference is that collaborative learning is a philosophy of interaction whereas cooperative learning is a structure of interaction.

Conclusion

During a collaborative learning session, students not only work on academic assignments but also get to develop their social skills and learn together which improves their relationships with others in the class. Being able to become accustom collaborative learning into your teaching plan successfully. Will allow your students engage and involve themselves more actively in the learning process rather than be passive students. It gives them a chance to learn their strengths and weaknesses as they work in groups. As they interact more with their peers, they acquire new ways of handling problems. Collaborative learning not only enhances the l learning process but also makes students happy.