Collaborative vs cooperative learning: the main differences

How does collaborative learning differ from cooperative learning?

When you work with learners in online or face to face educational contexts, terms collaborative learning and cooperative learning are often used interchangeably. And while the two educational approaches have value and promote teamwork and communication, the truth is that they are not the same. In this article, we will discuss the definitions of these two terms, will explore the differences between collaborative learning vs cooperative and will examine the factors that will encourage you to choose each alternative.

What is collaborative learning?

When we talk about collaborative learning, we refer to a flexible learning environment where learners are encouraged to stimulate their progress through significant teamwork. This educational approach consists in presenting learners with problem solving activities and discussions that force them to engage in dialogue and to use their critical thinking skills. In collaborative learningParticipants are responsible for each other and must ensure that their collaboration is effective in achieving the desired result.

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The current activities used in this educational method include Socratic seminars, learning based on projects and case study analyzes. These activities question the analytical and evaluative skills of learners, nourish teamwork and open communication and promote a feeling of community and camaraderie. It is important to note that collaborative learning promotes the autonomy of learners, allowing learners to approach tasks in their own way, to divide responsibilities as they wish, to exercise their creativity and to treat the instructor more as a facilitator than a director.

What is cooperative learning?

On the other hand, cooperative learning is a more structured learning approach in which learners work in small groups to achieve a common goal. Although the problems are again solved by shared responsibility and interdependence, in this case, the roles and responsibilities are allocated by the instructor, which also provides closer management and advice. This approach exploits the unique forces and skills of each learner, by combining them in a pool of common knowledge which leads to a more effective problem solving.

One of the most common activities used in cooperative learning is the skipping saw method, where a learner becomes the group's expert and teaches the subject to the rest of the team. The other activities include quiz and team games, group tasks based on roles and individual reflection sessions, which are then shared with the whole group or the class. Similar to collaborative learning, cooperative learning improves the progress of learning and interpersonal skills while improving the confidence and motivation of the learner. As a result, they are encouraged to actively participate in the learning process.

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Collaborative vs cooperative learning: the main differences

Summarizing the differences in collaboration in relation to cooperative learning as seen through the definitions we discussed above, we arrive at the following conclusions:

• Structure and roles – Collaborative learning is very structured, giving learners a lot of freedom in the way they want to manage tasks and assign responsibilities. In cooperative learning, the instructor provides more structure by organizing the group and the role of each member while closely monitoring the activity.
• Nature of tasks – Collaborative learning emphasizes the active participation and the interaction of learners, which means that they are engaged in discussions, shared decision -making, brainstorming sessions, etc. Conversely, in cooperative learning, participants are involved in structured group activities where the final objective is achieved by divided tasks and responsibility, such as projects based on roles.
• Objectives and responsibility – Collaborative projects have shared objectives and mutual responsibility for the final result. Although there is also a common objective in cooperative learning, the clear division of tasks ensures that each learner is held responsible for the responsibilities of his own role and their execution.
• To focus – Collaborative learning is a more focused on the learner, because learners play a more active role in their learning journey. Cooperative learning is concentrated collectively on the group, because the end result depends on the skills and distinct knowledge of each individual.
• Educational theory – Since it stimulates knowledge through dialogue and exploration, collaborative learning is aligned with the principles of constructivist learning theory. Cooperative learning, on the other hand, is rooted in behavioral theory, strongly based on structured repetition and skills practice.

How to make the right choice for your audience

The two educational approaches come with their own set of advantages, but to achieve the desired results, you need to know how to make the best choice for the needs of your audience. This decision will be affected by a number of factors, such as the following:

• Age of age and learners' development – More specifically, young learners will benefit more from the structure and advice provided by Cooperative Learning, while older people can have more freedom with collaborative learning activities.
• Skills available among learners – A diversified classroom, where participants bring different perspectives, skills and knowledge, will prosper in a cooperative setting that will ensure that everyone will have the opportunity to participate. On the other hand, if all learners have a similar level of competence, you can opt for collaborative activities.
• Learning objectives – Finally, you should know what skills you are trying to help learners to develop. If you want to focus more on high skills of reflection such as problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and innovation, you must take advantage of collaborative learning. If you focus more on social skills such as active communication, listening, empathy and cooperation, structured activities of cooperative learning are better suited.

Conclusion

Collaborative learning and cooperative learning are educational approaches that seek to develop skills in learners by putting the learner at the forefront. While one focuses more on the construction of collective knowledge and equal interaction, and the other on specific roles and interdependence, they both manage to improve communication, collaboration and critical thinking, helping learners to pass their skills to the higher level. By exploring the differences in collaborative learning in relation to cooperative learning, instructors can understand what choice is the best for their audience and help them achieve the best possible learning results.