“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
Mattie J.T. Stepanek
If you had asked me some weeks ago about collaborative learning, I would have said: “working together to accomplish something as a group”. That vague definition is not really wrong by itself, however, it is quite generic. Usually, when we are asked to work in teams we divide the work into parts and we work asynchronously. In the end, we merge all parts together to achieve a final product. I would say that we spend the majority of the time together dividing the work. Sound that familiar to you?
If you can relate to that type of teamwork. I am sorry to say that is not really collaboration but cooperation. It is very common to mistake both terms. Therefore, I have decided to dedicate this blog to define the differences and similitudes between both types of learning.
Similitudes
Another reason is that both types of learning are based on the same pedagogical theories. As is shown in Figure 1 from [3], both are built on constructivist and socio-cultural approaches.
Brindley, J., Blaschke, L. M. & Walti, C. (2009). Creating effective collaborative learning groups in an online environment. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 10(3)
Differences
As is noticed from those definitions above, differences cannot be grasped if we do not deep into more details and look at the characteristics.
The main difference between collaborative learning and cooperative learning is their focus. In collaboration, the main focus is on the process itself. On the contrary, when we cooperate the focus is on the final product.
In most cases, the core element of cooperative learning is to showcase interdependence while underlying personal responsibility [4]. In other words, the work is divided into different parts depending on the skills presented by the group members. Each member is mainly responsible for their own work. The work is mainly asynchronous.
On the other side, collaborative learning happens synchronously, always implies social interaction and everyone is responsible for the group’s success. Each collaboration is different and lies heavily on the group members. There is not structured way or guidelines that we can follow to achieve the collaboration. Roles, resources, and organization are left up to the group.
On the contrary. The roles and structure of cooperative learning are predefined. This helps teachers and educators to provide structure and guidelines for their students.
Final Reflection
When I look at the differences highlighted in the previous section. I understand why we have the tendency to rely on cooperative learning instead to really collaborate. Cooperative learning can be very structured, every role is clear and is easy to assess. However, it lacks the nurturing nature of collaborative learning. When we achieve really collaboration we forget about how to achieve only a grade and focus on what is really important, understand and discuss a specific topic.
After reflecting on what we discussed with my group in the last weeks I have reached the conclusion that we can use collaborative and cooperative learning as complementary approaches. Collaborative learning can be use to deep in a topic, design phases, creative thinking and to learn via discussions and scenarios. These activities do not need to be assessed, the process and the knowledge obtained should be the main goal. Cooperative learning can be used in the next phase where students demonstrate what is the knowledge obtained during the collaboration, and consolidate it and materialize it in the final product.
I hope you have found this topic as interesting as I do. I really think that I learned a lot by collaborating and cooperating with my PBL group.
What about you? Can you identify now when you collaborate or cooperate?
Cristina PAniagua
References
[1] https://www.valamis.com/hub/collaborative-learning#collaborative-learning-definition
[2] https://tophat.com/glossary/c/cooperative-learning/
[3] Brindley, J., Blaschke, L. M. & Walti, C. (2009). Creating effective collaborative learning groups in an online environment. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 10(3)
[4] https://www.aeseducation.com/blog/what-is-cooperative-learning-and-how-does-it-work
