Collaborative learning is the vehicle in which learning is changed. In "Collaborative Learning and the Conversation of Man," Kenneth Bruffee discusses the power and advantages of using collaborative learning. Peer tutoring and in-class work have shown to be successful in a college setting, thus starting the movement towards collaborative learning in the classroom. Bruffee states in his article, "Collaborative learning, it seemed, harnessed the powerful educative force of peer influence that had been-and largely still is-ignored and hence wasted by traditional forms of education." Collaborative learning is the next big advancement in student learning. Michael Oakeshott argues that humans are different from any another living thing in that we are able to talk in unending conversation. There are limitations in conversing with ourselves. Bruffee believes that ideas can only arise through conversation with peers and collaborative learning. Conversation brings forth endless possibilities in intellectual thought.
Writing and conversation are one in the same. Writing is conversation that is made public. Bruffee insists that writing teachers use collaborative learning in their everyday teaching. Students can talk in a relaxed environment in which knowledge flows from one student to the next. Learning is not just about listening to a teacher in front of the classroom. The student must become involved. Students learn to challenge and question themselves and the world. If the teacher fails at her job and there is no collaborative learning, the community of knowledge will die. Collaborative knowledge seeks to broaden this knowledge in students. Together, students will grow in learning. After all, humans were made to converse with one another.
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When students converse with one another it allows their ideas to grow and elaborate. This is why collaborative learning is so important because without it you are only stuck with one idea and that's yours. Sometimes you need others opinions to realize your rights and wrongs. If a person didn't converse with anyone they would always think their are ideas were correct. Everyone is allowed to have his or her own opinions and sometimes it is helpful to hear them.
ReplyDeleteThe making of knowledge is impossible if we passively absorb it. Like you said, instead of just listening to the professor, we must question what he or she says and discuss it with others. Then only can we grow as intellectuals, and can knowledge flow from one individual to the next. Questioning what others say is key to learning more, and discussing your doubts with others students will either sway your opinion or confirm it.
ReplyDeleteHey, Professor Lay makes us do that all the time! She wants us to voice our opinions and thoughts on the subject matter, and do you notice how she always encourages our thoughts with "Uh huh, yes,..." and then wants to hear more? We do this in each and every writing class, it is not just us listening to what she has to say- which would not be a problem all the time, but it is more fun when we all collaborate.
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