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

1. Develops higher level thinking skills                                        
   
2. Promotes student-faculty interaction and familiarity
3. Increases student retention
4. Builds self esteem in students
5. Enhances student satisfaction with the learning experience
6. Promotes a positive attitude toward the subject matter
7. Develops oral communication skills
8. Develops social interaction skills
9. Promotes positive race relations
10. Creates an environment of active, involved, exploratory learning
11. Uses a team approach to problem solving while maintaining individual accountability
12. Encourages diversity understanding
13. Encourages student responsibility for learning
14. Involves students in developing curriculum and class procedures
15. Students explore alternate problem solutions in a safe environment
16. Stimulates critical thinking and helps students clarify ideas through discussion and debate
17. Enhances self management skills
18. Fits in well with the constructivist approach
19. Establishs an atmosphere of cooperation and helping schoolwide
20. Students develop responsibility for each other
21. Builds more positive heterogeneous relationships
22. Encourages alternate student assessment techniques
23. Fosters and develops interpersonal relationships
24. Modelling problem solving techniques by students' peers
25. Students are taught how to criticize ideas, not people
26. Sets high expectations for students and teachers
27. Promotes higher achievement and class attendance .
28. Students stay on task more and are less disruptive
29. Greater ability of students to view situations from others' perspectives (development of empathy)
30. Creates a stronger social support system
31. 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
32. Addresses learning style differences among students
33. Promotes innovation in teaching and classroom techniques
34. Classroom anxiety is significantly reduced
35. Test anxiety is significantly reduced
36. Classroom resembles real life social and employment situations
37. Students practice modeling societal and work related roles
38. CL is synergystic with writing across the curriculum
39. CL activities can be used to personalize large lecture classes
40. Skill building and practice can be enhanced and made less tedious through CL activities in and out of class.
41. CL activities promote social and academic relationships well beyond the classroom and individual course
42. CL processes create environments where students can practice building leadership skills.
43. CL increases leadership skills of female students
44. 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. 

Reference : https://www.google.lk/?gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=ZolhVeLTEtCbuQTk1IG4Bg#q=Advantages+of+collaborative+learning
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 

Reference : http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/cl1/CL/story/middlecc/TSCMD.htm

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

 Reference : http://www2.hawaii.edu/~dressler/CLbenefits.html


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