Collaborative Learning - Information Communication Technologies for Human Services Education and Delivery - page 38

Chapter 3
Collaborative Learning
Using Group Work Concepts
for Online Teaching

Lesley Cooper
Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada

Sally Burford
University of Canberra, Australia

abStract

This chapter examines the concept of collaborative learning and its theoretical and practical founda-
tions. Collaborative learning takes place in a structured social situation where a group of students work
as a team to assist each other with learning tasks. The instructional strategies encourage student to
student interactions. Drawing on group work skills, collaborative learning has been demonstrated to be
effective in a variety of learning situations. Development of a variety of Internet technologies such as
communication tools, emails, discussion forums, video and audio tools together with webcasting allow
collaborative teaching strategies to be used creatively in online learning. The authors have trialed the
use of various technologies in the human services and several case examples of online collaborative
learning are provided. These case studies cover activities such as supervision and controversial issues
in social work ethics. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the future directions and the challenges
this poses for traditional classroom teaching.

introDuction 'I entered the classroom with the conviction that it

was crucial for me and every other student to be an
active participant, not a passive consumer...education
as the practice of freedom.... education that connects
the will to know with the will to become. Learning is
a place where paradise can be created'

Collaborative learning occurs when a group of
students work as a team assisting each other with
learning tasks. This form of learning began in
classrooms and its effectiveness is that setting has
been demonstrated. More recently, it is being used
in the online environment. Education in social work
and more generally in the human services requires
an understanding of human relationships and a

bell hooks