Collaboration in the Classroom








For more than four decades, studies have shown that students can make strong progress in their learning, achieving a deeper and more flexible understanding of concepts in a range of subjects when they learn as part of a small group compared to the level of understanding they get when they work on their own. (Johnson & Johnson, 1981, Schwartz,1995).
Collaborative learning is a technique teachers use to group students together to impact learning in a positive way. Working together increases learning outcomes. There are many benefits to collaborative learning such as developing leadership skills, language and listening skills, and self-management skills. It can also help interaction between students and teacher, and prepare students for real life situation. According to Johnson and Johnson (1986), there is persuasive evidence that cooperative teams achieve at higher levels of thought and retain information longer that students who work quietly as individuals. They believed there are five basic elements to cooperative learning:  
·         Face to face interaction- encourages students in a group to share and help each other.
·         Positive Interdependence- refers to the feel of each other, students feel they cannot work without the absence of one or more group members.
·         Individual accountability- specific and group assessment that results in the skills and outcomes of each student and the whole group.
·         Group processing- is the assessment and remarking of the capabilities and actions of each group.
·         Interpersonal and small group skills- social skills that each and every student of the group should have.
 This coincides with Vygotsky (1978), students are capable of performing at higher intellectual levels when they work in collaborative situations than working as individuals. He also suggested that learning takes place through the interactions students have with their peers, teachers and other experts. (Vygotsky, 1962). Vygotsky believed “that language is the main tool that promotes thinking, develops reasoning and supports cultural activities like reading and writing”. (Vygotsky, 1978). Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development is a range of abilities that an individual can perform with assistance, but cannot yet perform independently. He also believed of the importance of a more knowledgeable other, this is someone who has a higher level of knowledge than the learner. Vygotsky believed that peer interaction was an essential part of the learning process. He suggested to group together more able students with less able students to learn new skills. As a learner gains more skill and knowledge the zone moves progressively forward. Where as Vygotsky believed children learnt better working together doing and actively exploring. An occurring theme was individual learning. He emphasised that intelligence is acquired based on our own actions. Dewey also felt that education and learning are interactive. He believed that students learn best in an environment where they can socialise and interact.
I also feel collaborative working in the classroom is of the utmost importance, it encourages children to work together and communicate with each other. This will build so many new skills for the child including language and listening skills, as well as developing self-confidence, cooperation, improve social and interpersonal skills.

https://youtu.be/QLaS429LAJA

References
Johnson, R. T. & Johnson, D. W. (1986). Action research: Cooperative learning in the science classroom. Science and children, 24. 31-31.
Johnson, R. T. & Johnson, D.W. (1981). Effects of cooperative and individualistic learning experiences on interethnic interaction. J Ed Psych 73(3); (1981), pp. 454-459.
Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in Society: The development of higher psychologic processes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1962). Thought and Language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

Comments

  1. Chloe Gardner11 December 2017 at 10:09

    I completely agree with the idea that collaborative learning is extremely valuable, not only to enhance learning but also to enhance other aspects of a child’s development such as social skills. In my opinion, the most positive thing that students gain from collaborative learning is the opportunity to discuss ideas with other students, as this is something which enhances understanding (Lloyd & Beard, 1995).
    However, have you considered the possibility that some children are naturally more accustomed to working alone? It is in fact the case that many find social situations involving other people very difficult – more difficult in fact than working on a task by themselves. (Stern, 2014)

    References
    Lloyd, C., & Beard, J. (1995). Managing classroom collaboration. (Cassell Practical Handbooks). London: Cassell.

    Stern, J. (2014). Loneliness and solitude in education: How to value individuality and create an enstatic school (Religion, education and values; v. 6).

    ReplyDelete

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