What Is Collaborative Learning and What Does It Effect In The Classroom?
The class is grouped in clusters of 3 to 5 students and a question is posed. The students are then encouraged to discuss and collaborate on the answer which was to be found in the previous days reading. After a period of time each groups is encouraged to share what they discussed but they must begin their statement with “I heard someone say…” Once they have shared they return to their discussion groups with a new question on what was shared and the process repeats. This is an example of collaborative learning.
So what is collaborative learning and what does it effect in the classroom? The what is diverse by the very nature of what true collaboration is. Every person comes from varying socio economic, cognitive and ethnographic understandings. As such this means that in the course of any discussion there will be varying points of understanding and perception. Collaborative learning therefore allows for the intertwining of these various stages of development and understanding so that all are challenged to learn while keep that feeling of safety around their own thoughts and perceptions. Collaborative discussion is just one of the collaborative tools used. This collaboration can also be extended through the physical elements of learning. This can manifest itself in research projects that require both research and physical presentation. This physical presentation can be either computer generated or traditional poster board and aural presentation. Either way each team member will have a specific duty and input in the collaborative group process.
What does it effect in the classroom? In every class there are a diverse and complex collection of learners. Many and much of what each of these learners knows has been engrained through various personal experiences both good and bad. The end result often is certain students will dominate the conversation and others will meld into the background hoping not to be called upon so as to have to risk embarrassment for an incorrect or incomplete answer. It is this very dynamic that is at the core of collaborative learning. By using a grouping structure the strengths of everyone can manifest themselves. This does however, require some observation and conversation by the classroom teacher so as to make sure all are actively engaged. Some would argue that those who would dominate in the regular class setting would also dominate in this environment. However, what often takes place here is the dominating personality learns how to delegate and encourage which can build self esteem in the group as a whole. Safety and self esteem are two of the main strengths and effects of the collaborative learning environment.
So what is collaborative learning and what does it effect in the classroom? Quite simply it is a place where safety, discovery, self esteem, team building and a sense of community come together to create a learning environment that can grow and evolve with the diversity that is who we as people are.
