Improving Student Learning through Collaboration

Collaborative learning, or learning through group work, offers several advantages over traditional learning methods, such as lecture or large-group discussion. First, a substantial body of research shows that learning is not as simple as transferring knowledge from teacher to student. Meaningful and lasting learning occurs through personal, active engagement. Second, many employers consider an employee’s ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams to be a prerequisite for workplace success. Collaborative learning prepares students for careers by offering them opportunities to learn valuable interpersonal and teamwork skills. While there are a variety of techniques to engage students in collaborative learning, this session will focus specifically on collaborative research and writing. The presenter will share ideas about how to structure the learning activity (e.g., forming groups, grading, etc.) and how to use online tools, such as Diigo and Google Docs, to support student collaboration