Collaborative learning in the tech era
In a nutshell, collaborative learning can be defined as co-operative learning, which encourages students to learn together and reach their common academic objectives. Some common examples of collaborative learning activities are group discussions, and group study sessions, which are quite common in the traditional classroom setting. The evolution of technologies in the past few years has led to a paradigm shift in the process of collaborative learning.
An important outcome of tech evolution is learning management systems (LMSs). LMSs are quite effective in promoting collaborative learning. Unlike previous classroom models, LMSs provide a much broader platform to conduct group study sessions and discussions. Further, equipped with cutting-edge features and various web-based applications, modern LMSs have taken the experience of collaborative learning to an entire new level.
Social networking and blogging websites have also rendered a new fillip to the concept of collaborative learning. Thanks to the unrelenting craze of the new media, more and more students are nowadays getting motivated to collaborate with other students on various online learning platforms.
Various aspects of online collaborative learning
- In the collaborative learning method, two or more pupils can study the same topic, solve a problem or discuss anything on a virtual platform.
- The software in LMSs enables groups of students to share audio-video files, texts and other information in a simple and fast way, thereby motivating learners to collaborate with other learners.
- Web-based collaborative learning promotes effective learning through interaction and facilitation between students. However, the role of a course/program coordinator is significant in this process.
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