1. Commitment lights up:
Collaborative learning encourages active participation, increasing engagement and motivation among students.
- Research evidence: A meta-analysis by Roseth, Johnson, and Johnson (2008) found that cooperative learning environments improve motivation and engagement compared to competitive or individualistic environments. Students are more likely to participate and take ownership of their learning.
2. Deeper understanding flourishes:
Collaborative learning allows students to articulate their thinking, interact with diverse perspectives, and deepen their understanding of concepts.
- Research evidence: Webb et al. (2009) demonstrated that peer explanations and discussions significantly improve understanding and retention of the material.
- Fountain: Webb, NM, Franke, ML, Ing, M., Wong, J., Fernández, CH, Shin, N. and Turrou, AC (2009). “The role of instructional teaching practices in student collaboration.” American Journal of Educational Research46(4), 1032–1064. DOI:10.3102/0002831209333183
3. Essential skills flourish:
Group work develops skills such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving.
- Research evidence: Johnson and Johnson (2009) described that cooperative learning prepares students for real-world challenges by fostering these essential skills in structured group settings.
4. Diverse needs met:
Thoughtful grouping accommodates diverse learners by addressing different learning styles, abilities and needs.
- Research evidence: Differentiated instruction strategies integrated into collaborative learning environments help meet the needs of all students, as shown by studies such as Tomlinson's work on differentiated instruction.
