We have widely discussed the concept of Cooperative Learning, its characteristics, and benefits in the EFL learning and teaching. However, when it comes to working together, concepts as Cooperative Learning and Collaborative Learning are mostly used interchangeably. Hence, it is essential to differentiate these terms and know the significance of each one of them in our classrooms.
To better understand the concepts Ted Panitz (1999) describes two simple definitions of these terms:
“Collaboration is a philosophy of interaction and personal lifestyle where individuals are responsible for their actions, including learning and respect the abilities and contributions of their peers.”
“Cooperation is a structure of interaction designed to facilitate the accomplishment of a specific end product or goal through people working together in groups.” (p.3)
As it may be perceived, Collaborative learning is not just a classroom technic, it is a way of living and interacting with others in a community, inside and outside the classroom. On the other hand, Cooperative Learning is focused on the accomplishment of a subject-related product. However, as learning techniques, these concepts have a lot in common; for instance, they both use groups, assign specific tasks, and have the groups share and compare their procedures and conclusions in the class. Then, where the real difference lies and why so many teachers prefer Collaborative Learning?
Rocky Rockwood (as cited in Panitz, 1999) states that in Cooperative Learning, it is the teacher who has the authority, who takes ownership of the task, and who guides the learning process. While in Collaborative Learning, the teacher transfers all the authority to the students who are fully responsible for their learning, actions, and tasks. Bearing in mind this definition, many authors have concluded that Collaborative learning is a more independent technique focused on the process, while Cooperative Learning is centered on the product.
Therefore, Cooperative Learning sets the basis for a student-centered approach, where the authority and learning are shared by the teachers and students. In cooperative learning, a common goal, structures/steps, and a subject based product are needed. As it was already mentioned, students work together in order to finish an activity or to achieve a common goal, this product has not the same relevance in Collaborative Learning.
However, according to Brufee (as cited in Panitz, 1999), these two approaches can be seen as linear processes. In this regard, Cooperative Learning is the first technique to implement in order to work with primary students and learn basic information and processes for interacting socially. Then, students may extend their critical thinking and reasoning skills by taking more control over their learning and social interactions while working on collaborative activities.
Now that you know some of the differences between these two concepts, would you implement collaborative learning with primary students? If so, how would you develop the independence and autonomy needed for this purpose? Do you agree with Brufee linear perception? Tell me in the comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment