Collaborative learning on internet
hehe concept of collaborative learning, the grouping and pairing of learners
for the purpose of achieving a learning goal, has been widely researched and
advocated - the term "collaborative
learning" refers to an instruction method in which learners at various
performance levels work together in small groups toward a common goal. The
learners are responsible for one another's learning as well as their own. Thus,
the success of one learner helps other students to be successful.
Proponents of collaborative learning claim that the active exchange of ideas
within small groups not only increases interest among the participants but also
promotes critical thinking.There is persuasive evidence that cooperative teams
achieve at higher levels of thought and retain information longer than learners
who work quietly as individuals. The shared learning gives leanres an
opportunity to engage in discussion, take responsibility for their own learning,
and thus become critical thinkers. Advantages of Collaborative learning on internet
- Develops higher level thinking skills
- Promotes student-faculty interaction and familiarity
- Increases student retention
- Builds self esteem in students
- Enhances student satisfaction with the learning experience
- Promotes a positive attitude toward the subject matter
- Develops oral communication skills
- Develops social interaction skills
- Promotes positive race relations
- Creates an environment of active, involved, exploratory learning
- Uses a team approach to problem solving while maintaining individual accountability
- Encourages diversity understanding
- Encourages student responsibility for learning
- Involves students in developing curriculum and class procedures
- Students explore alternate problem solutions in a safe environment
- Stimulates critical thinking and helps students clarify ideas through discussion and debate
- Enhances self management skills
- Fits in well with the constructivist approach
- Establishs an atmosphere of cooperation and helping schoolwide
- Students develop responsibility for each other
- Builds more positive heterogeneous relationships
- Encourages alternate student assessment techniques
- Fosters and develops interpersonal relationships
- Modelling problem solving techniques by students' peers
- Students are taught how to criticize ideas, not people
- Sets high expectations for students and teachers
- Promotes higher achievement and class attendance .
- Students stay on task more and are less disruptive
- Greater ability of students to view situations from others' perspectives (development of empathy)
- Creates a stronger social support system
- Creates a more positive attitude toward teachers, principals and other school personnel by students and creates a more positive attitude by teachers toward their students
- Addresses learning style differences among students
- Promotes innovation in teaching and classroom techniques
- Classroom anxiety is significantly reduced
- Test anxiety is significantly reduced
- Classroom resembles real life social and employment situations
- Students practice modeling societal and work related roles
- CL is synergystic with writing across the curriculum
- CL activities can be used to personalize large lecture classes
- Skill building and practice can be enhanced and made less tedious through CL activities in and out of class.
- CL activities promote social and academic relationships well beyond the classroom and individual course
- CL processes create environments where students can practice building leadership skills.
- CL increases leadership skills of female students
- In colleges where students commute to school and do not remain on campus to participate in campus life activities, CL creates a community environment within the classroom.
Disadvantages of Collaborative learning on internet
- People need to go at different speeds
- Someone may try to take over the group
- Quiet people may not feel comfortable
- Sometimes people just don't get along
- People may not pull their weight
- It is not fair!
- A concept may not be understood as well if a person doesn't have to figure it out
- The time spent talking about irrelevant topics is unbelievable
Challenges of Collaborative Learning:
There are challenges with the implementation of collaborative learning approaches:
For instructors:
- Extensive revision of syllabus to account for increase in group work
- Revision of time allocation for assignments
- Adaptation to changing role that includes increased student responsibility for own learning
For students:
- Adjustment to group work format
- Time management issues involved with working around group members’ schedules
- Increased responsibility for own learning
- Classrooms set-up for teacher-centered/lectures
- Conversion from competitive to cooperative nature
Solutions for the challenges of Collaborative Learning:
- All the time student should have connection with the instructor to clarify the problems.
- Instructor should provide opportunities to do challenging work
