Friday, 29 April 2011

Important Aspects of Collaborative Learning

In the last few years, the world of technology has witnessed significant advancements, and learning management systems have benefited from this technological evolution as well. LMSs have been able to foster collaborative learning to a very high degree now. Basic examples of collaborative learning activities supported by an LMS are joint study sessions and group discussions. These activities are also a part of traditional classrooms where a group of students can interact with each other.

With the arrival of feature-rich collaboration tools and web applications online, online learning applications have also added to the flavor of 'collaboration.' People are already aware of basic collaboration strategies because they are familiar with social networks and blogging websites based on similar concepts. Prior knowledge has helped learning organizations motivate learners to collaborate on a virtual learning platform.

Collaborative Online Learning - Main aspects

1. Two or more peers interested in an identical learning activity take part in a collaborative learning process. These two or more learners have the same goal on a collaborative learning platform. Two or more students could be studying the same topic, solving a problem, or discussing a solution on a virtual learning platform.

2. Collaborative learning strategies are implanted on virtual learning platforms, also known as learning management systems. The software system allows a group of learners to share digital audio-video files, text, and illustrations in an easy and intuitive way. The main objective of an LMS is to motivate intuitive collaboration among learners.

3. It is through mutual interaction and facilitation that collaborative online learning succeeds. Achieving effective learning experience through interaction and facilitation among learners on an LMS is the fundamental goal of collaborative web based learning strategies. A course coordinator plays the important role of facilitator in online activities.

4. Collaborative online strategies can be implemented over a dedicated portal or an existing learning management system. Nowadays, social networking websites can also be used as effective collaborative tools. However, the best way to utilize collaborative online learning strategies is to rely on an advanced virtual learning platform that has many other features as well.

Several people have no idea of the basic difference between knowledge delivery over a web based medium and collaborative learning supported by a virtual learning management system. It is an additional feature implanted over an LMS that is used to deliver information and knowledge to a group of learners on the internet.

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