Collaborative Learning for New Age Learners

Dr Nripen Kumar Dutta

(Principal, Miles Bronson Residential School

nripen.dutta@gmail.com,www.mbrs.edu.in)

Good teaching is dynamic and it is about how to make a student an active participant instead of a passive listener. The aim of innovative pedagogy is to give children a range of activities and experiences where they become self-driven, intrinsically motivated and develop into leaders of their own learning. Collaboration besides Critical Thinking, Creativity and Communication, constitute, one of the four skills needed for the future. Mixed-skill groups can be especially helpful to students in developing their social abilities. The skills required to work together in groups are quite distinct from those used to succeed in writing a paper on one's own or completing most homework or seatwork assignments. In a world where being a team player is often a key to success, Collaborative Learning becomes very useful and a relevant tool for students' engagement and learning. It is one of the tools which can be easily integrated into a class that uses multiple approaches.

What is Collaborative Learning?

Collaborative Learning is a method of teaching and learning in which students team together to explore a significant question or create a meaningful project. In a large, diverse educational community Collaborative Learning means different things to different people. It involves changing the classroom landscape by grouping students into pods to encourage greater peer interaction. Collaborative Learning is a method in which students team together to explore a significant question or create a meaningful project. A group of students discussing a lecture or students from different schools, working together over the Internet on a shared assignment are both examples of Collaborative Learning. In Collaborative Learning, students work together in small groups on a structured activity. They are individually accountable for their work, and the work of the group as a whole is also assessed. Cooperative groups work face-to-face and learn to work as a team. In small groups, students can share strengths and also develop their weaker skills. They develop their interpersonal skills. They learn to deal with conflict. When collaborative groups are guided by clear objectives, students engage in numerous activities that improve their understanding of subjects explored.

Creating the Environment:

In order to create an environment in which Collaborative Learning can take place, three things are necessary. First, students need to not only feel safe, but also challenged. Second, groups need to be small enough that everyone can contribute. Third, the task that students work together on must be clearly defined. Also, in Collaborative Learning small groups provide a place where learners actively participate. Teachers become learners at times, and learners sometimes teach. Respect is given to every member. Projects and questions interest and challenge the students. Diversity is celebrated, and all contributions are valued. Students learn skills for resolving conflicts when they arise. Members draw upon their past experience and knowledge. Goals are clearly identified and used as a guide. Research tools such as Internet access are made available. Students are invested in their own learning. Collaborative Learning can take place any time that students work together – for example, when they help each other with homework.

Benefits of Collaborative Learning:

There are many benefits that can result from using Collaborative Learning strategies. Collaborative Learning is fun, so students enjoy it and are more motivated. Collaborative Learning is interactive, so students are engaged as active participants in the learning. Collaborative Learning allows discussion and critical thinking, so students learn more and remember what they've learned for a longer period of time. Collaborative Learning requires students to learn to work together, which is an important skill for their future. "I swim, you sink, you swim, I sink" is not Collaborative Learning. Smart ones tutor the slow ones in Collaborative Learning. When students are working toward a common goal, academic work becomes an activity valued by peers. Students are motivated to help one another to learn. Students are able to translate the teacher's language into "student language" for one another. Students who explain to one another strengthen their own learning.

Role of Teacher:

The teacher's role is very important in Collaborative Learning. To have an effective collaborative learning group, teachers must know their students well. Grouping of students can be a difficult process and must be handled with care. Teachers must consider the different learning skills, cultural background, personalities, and even gender when arranging collaborative groups. The children will learn from their peers and eventually will become less dependent on the teacher for help, instead will learn to probe a problem with the help of peers.

The layout of the furniture is also important, when selecting furniture we need to consider few points: (i) How the space will be used and what age group of children will be using the space (ii) is the space enclosed and separate or in an open common area; (iii) is the furniture the correct size for the age group of children.

Principles of Co-operative Learning:

(i) Positive interdependence - It includes sharing a common team goal, sharing common resources, creating common identity for a group. For example, a name for the group selected by members and so on. The emphasis is on positive emotions and attitude reflected through helping, encouraging each other. (ii) Face-to-face interaction - Students promote each other's learning by helping, sharing, and encouraging efforts to learn. Students explain, discuss and teach what they know to classmates. Teachers structure the groups so that students sit knee-to-knee and talk through each aspect of the assignment. (iii) Individual and group accountability - It is important that there is a task for each one and also there is some task to be completed as a group together. For example different team members can be given responsibilities to collect different items like pebbles, fallen leaves, articles made from rubber etc., but then the whole group must be responsible for putting the collection in order. The team together can also decide a name for their collection. (iv) Interpersonal and small group skills - Groups cannot function effectively if students do not have and use the needed social skills. Teachers teach these skills as purposefully and precisely as academic skills. (v) Group processing - Students must feel they need each other in order to complete the group's task: mutual goals, joint rewards, shared materials and information and assigned roles.

Cooperative Learning is about supporting children work in teams - small or big. It has social benefits as well as academic. One of the essential elements of Collaborative Learning is the development of social skills. Children learn to take risks and are praised for their contribution. They are able to see points of view other than their own. Such benefits contribute to the overall satisfaction of learning and schooling. Students work with classmates who have different learning skills, cultural background, attitudes, and personalities. Heterogeneous groups promote student learning. These differences compel them to deal with conflicts and interact with others. Social interaction improves communication skills that become a necessity to functioning in society. Collaborative Learning develops skills like leadership, decision making, trust-building, communication, and conflict-management skills which are essential for 21st century learners.