2005_02_01_archive

Collaborative verse Co-operative Learning

Ted Panitz's (1996) article attempts to distinguish "between

collaborative and cooperative learning definitions."

He wrote:

Collaboration is a philosophy of interaction and personal lifestyle

whereas cooperation is a structure of interaction designed to

facilitate the accomplishment of an end product or goal.

To clarify, he wrote:

Collaborative learning is a personal philosophy, not just a

classroom technique. In all situations where people come together

in groups, it suggests a way of dealing with people which respects

and highlights individual group members' abilities and

contributions. There is a sharing of authority and acceptance of

responsibility among group members for the groups actions. The

underlying premise of collaborative learning is based upon

consensus building through cooperation by group members, in

contrast to competition in which individuals best other group

members. CL practitioners apply this philosophy in the classroom,

at committee meetings, with community groups, within their families

and generally as a way of living with and dealing with other

people.

and

Cooperative learning is defined by a set of processes which help

people interact together in order to accomplish a specific goal or

develop an end product which is usually content specific. It is

more directive than a collaborative system of governance and

closely controlled by the teacher. While there are many mechanisms

for group analysis and introspection the fundamental approach is

teacher centred whereas collaborative learning is more student

centred.

I guess this website is more about co-operative learning than

collaborative learning according to Ted.

I am not interested in this philosophical question. You may call this