Collaborative Learning

The idea of collaborative learning a popular one that has been researched thoroughly and is often put into use today. It is loosely viewed as matching students in groups or pairs for the intention of attaining a particular academic goal. In this situation, students are responsible for their own learning as well as that of their team mates. Therefore, the triumph of each student is necessary to achieve overall success. Many supporters of this type of learning believe that the give and take and exchange of theories and ideas not only boosts interest in academic subject matter but also enhances critical thinking skills.

There has been quite a bit of research regarding collaborative learning which suggests that students who work together in these teams preserve information longer in their heads as well as achieve elevated thought levels which are a necessary part of critical thinking. This give and take allows students to engage each other, brainstorm and learn from each other’s thoughts and ideas.

Collaborative learning has primarily been practiced in primary and secondary grades in public and private school arenas although there has been some limited practice at both junior college and university levels. For the most part, this type of learning is best for non-technical fields of study as technical aspects are often hands-on material that must be experienced personally.

Outside the traditional classroom, collaborative learning is related to learning management systems. In this instance, the learning collaborative style references a particular set of tools which are used to assist students who are studying via e-learning applications. For instance, employees can engage in collaborative learning by sharing computer applications and files across a network and even through e-learning that is typically like a virtual classroom complete with a connection of audio and visual links. All in all, the learning is shared amongst a group of students working toward a common goal.