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What is Collaborative Learning? Benefits, Theory & Examples

In the corporate world, collaborative learning involves employees working together to solve problems, share knowledge, and develop new skills. Companies have successfully executed collaborative learning as it fosters teamwork, boosts employee engagement and productivity, and leads to better learning outcomes. If you’re keen on implementing collaborative learning in your corporate culture, read on to learn more. 

What is collaborative learning?

Collaborative learning refers to several educational techniques, including a shared intellectual effort by learners and instructors working together. Rather than mechanical memorization of facts and statistics, this technique actively involves learners in processing and synthesising information and concepts. Learners collaborate on projects where they must work as a group to grasp the topics taught by the instructors.

Collaborative Learning Theory is a theory that emphasizes cooperation and human contact in corporate culture. By incorporating it into your L&D program, you may foster improved teamwork in all areas of your company.

Benefits of collaborative learning

Many businesses use collaborative learning to assist professionals in gaining skills and grasping concepts. It also aids in the development of important abilities such as communication and problem-solving. Here are some of the benefits of collaborative learning for companies.

1. Allows for peer interaction as part of the learning process

One of the most significant benefits of collaborative learning is its emphasis on peer participation and interaction. When a training programme is designed, team members may discuss their learning requirements and build courses based on their experience as well as skills. The information and experience gained can be shared internally with other employees or made available to the rest of the world.

2. Employees' knowledge and abilities are improved

Collaborative learning may help individuals learn more quickly and retain more. Utilising this technique for employees will expand the range and depth of skills accessible in the organisation's workforce.

3. Enhances problem-solving abilities

Collaborative learning initiatives sometimes necessitate groups completing a task or solving an issue. To identify the optimal answer, the group must debate and analyse several options. Working through an issue or task in a group may help students strengthen their own problem-solving abilities. Besides that, professionals are able to learn new approaches when managing different types of circumstances at work.

4. Allows for more social interactions

Social interaction is an activity seen in almost all businesses and professions. Individuals connect with others to attain a common aim when participating in debates, project groups and discussion groups in a company. This will help employees to deal with clients, business partners and coworkers on a daily basis.

5. Enhances inter-functional interactions

Collaborative learning groups work together to achieve their goal, relying on one another for success. As a result, they must learn to trust one another. This trust may be transferred to future working contacts in a professional setting, perhaps leading to enhanced productivity and morale.

Collaborative learning strategies

Collaborative learning strategies can help you establish a learning environment where employees bring out the best in one another. We’ve gathered some of the collaborative learning strategies you can use in your company to improve the quality of the employees.

1. Practice leadership that is adaptable and relational

Leaders may do this by encouraging flexibility in everyday operations, cultivating positive connections with their employees, and closely monitoring activities to guarantee timely completion.

2. Plan discussion sessions

Discussion sessions are very crucial for the development of a company in general. You can use discussion sessions to talk to the employees about their issues and improve them by discussing them with everyone. As a leader, you may organize sessions where you can discuss rivals who are performing well.

3. Feedback should be encouraged

A strategy that entails a discussion session would certainly be encouraging feedback. Feedback is a great way to assist employees to understand their triumphs and failings. After each collaborative learning session, consider enabling employees to raise questions and reflect on their learning.

Cooperative vs collaborative learning

Cooperative and collaborative learning are different. However, both learning processes need learners to work together in a group context to achieve a task. 

Cooperative learning is a systematic strategy in which the instructor is directly involved in the learning process by holding each member of the group accountable for a specific work, and it is the individual's job to assist others in learning their specific assignment. 

Collaborative learning, on the other hand, is group-structured, with learners working collaboratively to organize and distribute the material.

Examples of collaborative learning

Here, we discuss the examples of collaborative learning applied in companies: 

Feedback and reflection are primary examples of collaborative learning. Assessment is vital to evaluate group productivity and how well individuals work together.

Grading of individuals can be accomplished through individual contributions and the use of self, peer, and group assessment, feedback and reflection. You can give assessments like assignments, rubrics, performance-based assessments, participation, media works, or feedback.

  • Assigning employees into groups when dealing with new product development

You can assign employees into groups when dealing with new products or service development. You may organize groups to develop new product ideas. You may also have teams collaborate to create a presentation for other teams and departments that explains their duties or special tasks.

  • Team problem solving

Team problem-solving is another common example of collaborative learning. You can gather different teams and give them an issue to tackle. Explain to them the goals that you want to achieve and brief them thoroughly. Give them time and let the teams present their work, defend their decisions, and define their strategies for completing the assignment.

Conclusion

It is critical to create a strong business culture in today’s day and age. If you’re looking to apply Collaborative Learning in your organization, check out Gnowbe! You can easily build interactive microlearning courses with the all-in-one platform.

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