When institutions of higher learning open up and embrace collaborative learning techniques, they have a chance of surviving and thriving in our networked, global economy. With current technology, it is now possible to embrace some of the new collaboration models that will help facilitate a change in the relationship between students and instructors in the learning process. In the industrial model of student mass production, the instructor is considered the broadcaster. Meaning, the person that is responsible for the transmission of information in a one-way, linear fashion from transmitter (instructor) to receiver (student). For years, broadcast learning has been an appropriate way of gaining new information for a previous economy and generation; however, it is increasingly failing to meet the needs for a new generation of students who are now entering the global knowledge economy. Educators who use varying approaches of collaborative learning often tend to think of themselves less as an expert in transmitting knowledge and information to students, and more as an expert in design of intellectual experiences for students. Collaborative learning techniques allow a structure that creates more student participation and much more learning occurs when this happens. In addition to increased learning, mutual exploration, collective meaning making, and problem solving it creates a better learning outcome and understanding of the material in general.
What are your thoughts on collaborative learning?
Our college has fully embraced collaborative learning and I use it daily in the college classroom. Studies, and my experience, show that attendance increases, classroom participation increases and, surprise, grades increase.
ReplyDeleteAnyone in the classroom who is not using collaborative learning techniques is 1 step (or more) behind the leading edge.
Michael
Northwest Vista College
Texas
Michael,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. When I was an elementary school teacher, we called it “discovery learning” and I too saw the same advances that you see. However, I am finding that there is still some resistance to it in the business sector in the "traditional" training environments. Too often, their model is too dependent on "death by PowerPoint" and the instruction is mostly based on full transmission of information instead of being the facilitator of information.