Collaborative learning is commonly seen as a process whereby students’ work together, maximizing on each other’s strengths. It forms part of the 4 C’s of 21st century learning, and goes a long way in ensuring the success of distance/ online learning.

Though it may not be a walk in a park for students being exposed to collaborative learning for the first time, it does undoubtedly become much more free-flowing as the process is carried out. It starts with just a simple conversation between peers, and builds up as groups converse about different topics, which lays the foundation for knowledge generation. Meaningful conversations can have more of an impact than we realise, as people are often more likely to retain the information discussed in conversation with others, as opposed to retaining knowledge through plain old acquisition and retention. By creating the platform for discussion and shared thoughts, students are free to explore the vast areas regarding a specific topic.

Through engaging effectively with peers, processing the different points of view and appreciating the different conservations, the end result is that the learning process flourishes. But in order for it to flourish, everyone must accept responsibility for the role they play in their respective collab groups. If is imperative that they participate, contributing sufficiently toward reaching the end goal as a group. One of the advantages of learning collaboratively, is that it encourages critical thinking. You are required to delve into your thoughts and ideologies, and again, this leads to something much bigger as all individuals in a group contribute, thereby articulating the learning process.

We must exercise caution however, ensuring that everyone is partaking and contributing, don’t allow for certain members to “free-ride”. Every member needs to cooperate in order for collaborative learning to be successful. “Learning by doing” proves that by individually playing your part, everyone goes home having accomplished something.

If students can see it as learning rather than having to do work, it will make it a much more enjoyable experience. The benefit of inclusivity that comes out of it, whereby every student has a chance to voice their opinion, cannot go unnoticed.

Learning in communities through collaboration does not go in vain. Though it might be on a smaller scale whilst studying, when a person has to work with others on projects in the workplace, the components of collaborative learning come through. They now know how to effectively work alongside their peers in achieving an organization’s goals. So it’s quite evident that long term, there will always be benefits of learning in communities.