Collaborative learning involves an interdependence between success of the individual and success of the group, requiring both personal preparation and teamwork. Asynchronous work, in combination with group interaction and problem solving, differentiates collaborative learning from other interactive teaching methods. In this study, three professors and five student participants individually reflected on a past collaborative learning experience that they considered successful. Reflections were coded using thematic analysis. Themes that emerged from participant’s descriptions of successful collaborative learning were: (a) familiarity with collaborative learning, (b) relationships, (c) benefits, (d) motivations, and (e) design and process. Furthermore, a phenomenographic theoretical framework revealed that a participant’s prior experiences generated significant variation in what characteristics they described as promoting success in collaborative learning. Past experiences that can generate this variation include training in educational theory, participation in and familiarity with related research, the individual’s role, prior experience with collaborative learning as a student, and advocacy by one’s professor before participation in collaborative learning. Our findings can inform educational practice, improving the implementation of collaborative learning pedagogies.
The International Network for Chemistry Language Development is a community of faculty and students that employ video conferencing technologies in collaborative learning experiences. Learners partner with an international peer at another university to complete online collaborative assignments (OCAs). OCAs focus on shared learning and professional experience rather than assessment of knowledge to practice chemistry communication in the oral, written, and symbolic domains. We present OCAs as an example of the Third Space, where control over interactions and learning is negotiated between unfamiliar remote students, empowering students as emerging experts. This digital Third Space results in the formation of trust (a) between student partners to prepare for—and contribute during—the OCAs, and (b) between students and faculty as partners in teaching and learning. Additionally, we report how revisions to the OCA design are achieved with current students as consultants and partners, and former students as co-researchers and co-designers.
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