I have never really thought of the concept before but as we worked during our lab sessions I realised that collaborative learning was taking place. According to an article posted on 'The Global Development Research Center's ' site ; http://www.gdrc.org/kmgmt/c-learn/index.html collaborative learning can be defined as 'the grouping and pairing of learners for the purpose of achieving a learning goal. It is a setting in which learners of various performance levels work together in small groups toward a common goal'.
While I am almost certain this strategy was not planned by our group tutor it most certainly occurred. As we were given different tasks within the lab sessions those who grasped the concepts faster than others were assisting their colleagues. So, inadvertently collaborative learning was taking place in almost all the sessions. The purpose of achieving the specific learning outcome from each session by all learners was usually accomplished via this unplanned method.
It was clear that there were learners of various performance levels but all learners learned from each other. Critical thinking was certainly enhanced as the questions raised by the others encouraged the 'faster' learners to reflect on the method of delivery and the features of the tools under study. It was a successful experience. It has opened my eyes to the possibility of using it as a strategy within my classrooms. I believe the active learning involved will benefit all performance levels within my classroom. It is certainly a method I will research.
Hi Trumanne,
ReplyDeleteI was so caught up in grasping the fundamentals of the technology that I had not given a thought to collaborative work as a strategy for learning, especially in the lab sessions. What you said was indeed true and particularly insightful.
What was also interesting in these sessions was that it occurred not by design since we were not told by the lecturer and tutors to help each other. This happened unconsciously in an effort to solve problems. It helped to lessen anxiety, create friendships and build team spirits.
This has implications for teachers and educators in classrooms as teachers should allow for opportunities for students to interact with each other and to creatively come up with solutions to real problems.
I enjoyed reading your blog, Trumanne.
In this day and age of digital or new literacy we would always have those who are more competent than others; and collaborative learning did occur in the tutorial sessions. I think as good or rather developing practitioners we should try to encorage collaborative learning as this facilitates greater involvement and participation by students. It also can be used for students to showcase their strengths and foster greater engagement in the learning process.
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