Collaborative Learning is a mode of education which uses groups to enhance learning through working together. Groups of multiple learners learn by solving problems, completing tasks and learning new concepts. Collaborative Learning can be considered as an approach to learning and teaching where students are encouraged to work amongst themselves and the teacher in tandem to solve problems and learn new content. The teacher and students are considered as a learning unit which work together to process and synthesise information and concepts as opposed to memorising facts and figures. This is achieved through engaging projects in the form of group activities and assignments which compel them to work together and develop relationships which foster learning.
Many institutions promote collaborative learning during class time by assigning students into groups where they are allowed to stay for the rest of the curriculum to ensure that the group members bond with each other and settle into their roles and work together to learn. The teams’ relationship can be fostered outside of the class as well, by allowing them to work on collaborative projects online with their classmates through technologies such as learning management systems and social media. This is more effectively utilised with classes teaching more concept-based subjects as opposed to those requiring memorisation and study, such as psychology, arts, marketing etc. Find out more at at Social media marketing schools.
Advantages of Collaborative Learning
The main advantage of collaborative learning is also its main feature in that it promotes social interactions. A criticism of the modern school environment is that it focuses almost entirely on studies instead of promoting the social aspect of human nature. Collaborative learning promotes this by encouraging teamwork and division of work. It also fosters leadership among students who are suited to the role. Collaborative learning also exposes students to criticism and advice and promotes listening and learning through both.
Collaborative learning also promotes critical thinking skills as solving a problem in a group often presents each member with their own perspective and solution. This means that they are compelled to discuss among themselves and critically analyse the presented solutions to determine the best.
Improving knowledge acquisition and retention is another advantage of collaborative learning. Compared to traditional classroom-based learning where knowledge is acquired by listening and retained by memorising, collaborative learning environments promotes self-learning and learning by problem solving. Teaching is an effective method of retaining knowledge and students in collaborative learning groups will often involve in teaching each other the material each student is comfortable with to improve overall group knowledge.
Turns learning into an active process. Students learning in a traditional classroom do not need to interact with the lesson and are often discouraged from doing so. This passive nature of education is less effective than the much more active nature of collaborative learning. Students are encouraged to learn and teach on their own and actively participate in group activities, often involving the teacher as well as other groups for a more holistic approach to education.
