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Humanities
- ISSN: 2155-7993
- Journal of Modern Education Review
Enhancing Student Collaboration for Improved Learning
Ronald P. Uhlig, Bhaskar Raj Sinha, Shatha Jawad, Pradip Peter Dey, Mohammad Amin
(School of Engineering and Computing, National University, USA)
Abstract: Information is increasing at a dramatic pace. The ability of the learner to absorb this increase and create knowledge requires that learning take place at an accelerated pace. We have focused on expanding student collaboration to create a student learning environment that enhances accelerated learning and strengthens the ability to retain what has been learned.
It is particularly critical in an accelerated learning environment that a significant amount of the learning experience comes from students’ interactions with each other. In a traditional class, students interact primarily with the instructor. Increasing the level of student interaction with one another during the learning experience provides a significant multiplier in the student learning experience. Instead of all learning occurring on the student-instructor axis, learning occurs on multiple axes between students. For example, if each student has high quality interactions with four other students during a course, there is the potential to increase student learning by as much as a factor of five.
Getting students to interact meaningfully with each other is an important result of student collaboration. We have experimented with and used a number of mechanisms for enhancing student learning, including interactive exercises with tablet computers in both onsite and online classes. Recently, one of the authors implemented small group student presentations of a group-generated mp4 recording of their analysis of a series of ethical dilemmas, along with their conclusions and recommendations, in a Computer Ethics class and in classes on computer and network security.
During this academic year, we have conducted research on collaboration with student mentors and in small groups. In the former, students mentor each other on their submissions, and suggest improvements to each other’s work. With small groups, each student reviews and suggests improvements to the work of all members of the group. Their final products are the result of several iterations of this process. Results are presented, including analysis of surveys of students along with instructors’ experiences.
Key words: student collaboration, accelerated learning environment, improved learning
