The main difference between cooperative and collaborative learning is that in cooperative learning, the educator leaves each member of the student group with the responsibility of uplifting the academic performance of the others, while in collaborative learning, the students are left to get together and work on a given project as a team.
When it comes to cooperative learning, each participant of the student group uses his or her skills and knowledge to support the fellow members to understand and proceed with the work. Simply put, in cooperative learning, each student is not only responsible for their own growth but also equally responsible for the growth of their fellow members. However, within a collaborative learning setting, each and every student should not only take responsibility for their individual work but also the charge of the progress and the final achievement of the whole project as a team.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Cooperative Learning
– Definition, Features
2. What is Collaborative Learning
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities – Cooperative and Collaborative Learning
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Cooperative and Collaborative Learning
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Cooperative Learning, Collaborative Learning
What is Cooperative Learning
Cooperative learning incorporates the interdependence of students among each other in acquiring knowledge and skills. Consequently, accountability becomes the most significant element of cooperative learning.
The structure of cooperative learning stands quite different from the structure of collaborative learning. This is mainly because, in cooperative learning, the educator designs and structures all the activities and appoints each student with a specific role to play in completing the given activities. Therefore, inside the cooperative learning environment, students are not permitted to work with their personal devices in seeking the information necessary to the content. Instead, the educator provides them with the required information or directs the students to the relevant sources of information. Furthermore, the educator involves in group work by listening, observing, and even intervening in the discussions of the students.
What is Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is a mode of learning where each student acquires individual progress while progressing as a team. Within the collaborative learning platform, the educator structures the method in such a way that the students are able to adapt and manage the process without receiving further guidance or instructions. There are multiple benefits of collaborative learning. The students are able to identify the aspect of difference, both in themselves and in others, by working individually through in tandem. This gives them a chance to grow mutual respect towards these differences and encourages them to learn to use these differences to their advantage.
When focusing on the layout of the collaborative learning process, similar to cooperative learning, collaborative learning is also group structured. However, unlike in cooperative learning, the students organize the work by themselves and divide the work among themselves. The educator’s role in collaborative learning is quite limited to the role of monitoring the students unless the teacher’s assistance is requested by the students.
Similarities Between Cooperative and Collaborative Learning
- Cooperative and collaborative learning are two learning modes that allow students to acquire knowledge and skills.
- Both types of learning modes include educators and students.
Difference Between Cooperative and Collaborative Learning
Definition
Cooperative learning is a mode of teaching where the educator leaves each member of the student group with the responsibility of uplifting the academic performance of the others. Collaborative learning is a mode of teaching where the students are left to get together and work on a given project as a team.
Educator Involvement
In cooperative learning, the teacher involvement is more visible than the limited teacher involvement in the collaborative learning environment.
Assessment and Evaluation
In collaborative learning, the students do self-assessments on both individual and group performances, unlike in cooperative learning, where the educator reviews and assesses the work and awards marks to the students.
Conclusion
The main difference between cooperative and collaborative learning is that cooperative learning is a group-structured learning mode where the members of the student group have the responsibility of uplifting the academic performance of the others, while collaborative learning is a group-structured mode of learning where each student achieves self-development progressing and flourishing simultaneously as a team.
Reference:
1. “Collaborative Learning.” Center for Teaching Innovation.
2. Zook, Chris. “What Is Cooperative Learning and How Does It Work?” Digital Curriculum for CTE & Elective Teachers.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Students-computers-laptops-smiling” (CC0) via Pixabay
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