Collaborative Learning strategies and examples

What is Collaborative Learning? Well as a year 12 soon to be graduating student my view of “collaborative learning” may be quite different to most.

I see collaborative learning as a way to embrace the knowledge of my fellow peers and ask more questions and get answers that are more understandable and easy to follow.

This collaborative learning can take place in many settings, whether it be in a designated time slot during class which has been allocated for student lead learning or whether it be at a time outside of normal school hours, but no matter where it takes place I always find the knowledge of my peers very helpful.

Collaborative learning can range from asking a question of a peer or sitting down with them in the library and working through revision or assignments together.

What are common Collaborative learning strategies?

Some of the most common and effective collaborative learning strategies are those that start with adult or teacher interaction and then lead to group discussion and student lead work.

This student lead work can be a lot more enticing for some users as it allows for a less formal setting to learning and can allow for students to take charge of their own learning and bring their own initiative and ideas into the modern day learning space.

As a student myself I do appreciate time that teachers allocate to this collaborative working but I also realise that these strategies are not always best suited for every student and that is why balance is the key to success in collaborative learning.

Examples of Collaborative learning that people can learn from.

Collaborative learning can be between two people of an afternoon or it can be between a whole classes during a lesson, but no matter when or where this type of learning takes place it is essential to understand the core theme and that is to learn from others mistakes as well as your own.

We as students always get told that it is ok to make mistakes because you learn from them, but if this truly is the key to learning instead of just relying on learning from our own mistakes why can’t we draw on our peers mistakes and challenges so that we can use the new skills they have developed from this to further our ability as a collective group rather than just an individual