Diversity in Collaborative Learning

Having more than one student involved in the learning process generates a greater number of ideas. People think more clearly when they are talking as well as listening (a very good reason to participate actively in your classes). Creative brainstorming and group discussion encourage original thought. These habits also teach participants to consider alternative points of view carefully and to express and defend their own ideas clearly. As a group negotiates ideas and learns to agree on the most reliable thoughts, it moves closer to a surer solution.

 As we continue with higher education and move forward with better opportunities to learn not only about others but also about ourselves many of our beliefs grow out of personal experience and reinforcement. When these experiences are shared with others we interact, we learn, and we gain wisdom.  Even though collaboration has stereotypes or negative judgments that working in groups forces one to accept another’s ideas, this association of working in groups is not always the correct way of thinking.  We need to change our way of thinking and realize that one’s learning style is different because we are individuals and by working together with others one can interact and build together to be a critical thinker.  Critical thinkers are to be fair and open-minded, even if you don’t agree with certain ideas at first. Give them all a fair hearing, because your goal is to find the truth or the best action, not to confirm what you already believe.

 

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