Technology-based collaborative learning exposes learners to more of their peers’ points-of-view than is possible during event-based learning, where a learner’s exposure is limited to which attendees are in their immediate vicinity.
Depending on how the collaborative learning elements of the course are designed, learners will interact with a wider number of their cohorts members than would be accomplished through the limits of table-based, geography-based or proximity- based interactions (here’s hoping you didn’t sit at the wrong table...).
Furthermore, online environments can help bring to light the opinions of quieter learners or English as a Second Language learners who may be uncomfortable speaking off-the-cuff during event-based or in-person learning.
Their avenues and abilities to interact with their peers
in a comfortable way is broadened by technology. This ultimately enrichens the collaborative exercises and learning experience overall, allowing a broader variety of learners to actively participate at any given time.
Another benefit of technology-based collaborative learning is how much easier it is to catalogue and keep the results of collaborative learning exercises than it is to do so during event-based learning. With the addition of a search feature, learners can browse records of discussions, exercises, and group-created solutions as part of their learning process – even if completed by a different cohort or at a different time.
This is just one section from our definitive guide to Collaborative Online Learning. Read the guide for more!