Topic 2: Supporting Peers/Collaborative Learning

Collaborative Learning affords educational experiences which are quite unlike traditional formal education settings. Collaborative learning is usually defined as active, social, contextual, engaging, and student-led.

Collaborative learning approaches vary. Cornell University’s Center for Teaching Innovation distinguishes between smaller groups which can afford peer-to-peer exchanges, and larger groups which enable more complex group dynamics.

In smaller groups the following three steps are advised:

1. Introduce a task (e.g., a topic to discuss with the person sitting next to them)

2. Provide sufficient time for engagement with the task and offer help whenever it is requested or needed.

3. Help students sum up their conclusions and open the floor for further questions