Is Collaborative Learning Necessary?

For most individuals, the term “collaborative learning” really sounds strange. But the meaning of this term is very simple, as it is already being applied in almost all learning institutions – knowingly and unknowingly to us. Collaborative learning is necessary for growth.  It refers to the act of two or more individuals teaching and learning together in order to exchange ideas, skills, experience, resources and information. This way, these individuals intend to become better students because they can monitor, evaluate and correct each other’s work.Collaborative learning also refers to the environments and methods with which learners carry out the same task, which makes them dependent and accountable to each other, which is also tantamount to their individual and collective growth and achievements as learners. Since this approach to learning contradicts the convectional or traditional learning system, it has received a wide range of criticism as to its benefits to the society at large.  Some of the activities carried out in collaborative learning are group projects, debates, study groups, group talks and so on. These designs are made to make learners get an in-depth knowledge about a subject matter since it is going to be viewed from different point of views. Lev Vygotsky, Gerlach, Smith and MacGregor, have all proposed theories as concerning collaborative learning. In spite of their different ideologies, it is still obvious that they all indicate that students or learners need a high level of interaction between one another to attain full understanding of whatever task they have to accomplish.  Since we are now in the twenty-first century, we can only imagine that technology has also been inculcated into the idea of collaborative learning. There are now hardware, software and applications that teachers are now employing to make it easier for students to interact together as they learn.In 1987, Findley proposed the “Collaborative Network Learning” (CNL). This technologically based approach to collaborative learning helps learners interact using electronic means. Learners get to participate with each other in groups, and they are also being monitored by a group leader, facilitator, or coach, which makes sure they achieve individual and collective goals.Apart from the Collaborative Network Learning, there is also the Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL). This is quite different from the former, in that, this time, it is the computer technology that is doing the actual monitoring, regulating, evaluating, assigning of task to students who are learning in groups. All of these have been programmed, and we can always trust computers to carry out instructions to the letter.Examples of technological hardware and software that classrooms employ for collaborative learning include Google Classroom, Google Drive, Apple TV, Whiteboards and other devices make students reach out across the world without necessarily leaving their classrooms. All of these are made possible by adding technology to collaborative learning.In conclusion, the importance of technology to our society cannot be overemphasized, and that also applies to collaborative learning. It helps both students and teachers alike to appreciate the diversity of different approach and views towards completing tasks, thereby achieving both individual and collective goals."When we work together we are able to create something great for our students!"Author~ Cassandra Williams[embed]https://youtu.be/85HUMHBXJf4[/embed]