Collaborative Learning: Definition, Origin, References, and Scholarly Definitions

Collaborative learning refers to a teaching and learning strategy in which students work together in groups to achieve a shared learning objective. This approach involves students collaborating with their peers to share knowledge, skills, and experiences to enhance their understanding of the subject matter.

Origin of Collaborative Learning:

Collaborative learning has its roots in the social constructivist theory of learning, which emphasizes the importance of social interaction in the learning process. The concept of collaborative learning was first introduced by Lev Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist, who suggested that learning is a social activity and that students learn best when they work together with their peers.

References:

Collaborative learning is widely used in modern education systems, and its importance has been recognized in numerous academic documents. Some of the most significant references to collaborative learning include:

1. National Science Education Standards (1996): This document emphasizes the importance of collaborative learning in science education and encourages teachers to use collaborative learning strategies in the classroom.

2. UNESCO Guidelines for Open Educational Resources (2011): This document highlights the role of collaborative learning in the creation and use of open educational resources.

3. European Commission's Education and Training 2020 Strategy (2015): This document recognizes the importance of collaborative learning in developing the skills and competencies needed for the 21st century.

Definitions of Collaborative Learning:

Collaborative learning has been defined in various ways by different scholars. Here are five different definitions of collaborative learning:

1. Johnson and Johnson (1999) define collaborative learning as 'a method of instruction that involves students working together in groups to achieve a shared learning objective.'

2. Bruffee (1993) defines collaborative learning as 'an educational approach to teaching and learning that involves groups of learners working together to solve a problem, complete a task, or create a product.'

3. Dillenbourg (1999) defines collaborative learning as 'a situation in which two or more people learn or attempt to learn something together.'

4. Slavin (1995) defines collaborative learning as 'a situation in which students work together in small groups to achieve a common goal and to maximize their own and each other's learning.'

5. Kirschner, Sweller, and Clark (2006) define collaborative learning as 'a learning process in which two or more people work together to understand a concept, solve a problem, or create a product.'

In conclusion, collaborative learning is a teaching and learning strategy that emphasizes the importance of social interaction in the learning process. It has its roots in the social constructivist theory of learning and has been recognized as an effective approach to education in numerous academic documents. Different scholars have defined collaborative learning in various ways, but the common thread is that it involves students working together in groups to achieve a shared learning objective.