It’s true what they say about learning—the more the fun, the more you learn. While the process of learning is continuous throughout our lives, the way in which we learn is imperative too. Over the last couple of years, we may have come across many learning models that aim to make learning fun, while putting the points across. One such model is that of collaborative learning. If you’re wondering what this is all about, let’s find out.
Simply put, collaborative learning is an educational technique that involves working in groups to improve learning. Two or more students work together to solve issues, accomplish projects, or learn new concepts.

Rather than rote memorisation of facts and figures, this technique actively engages learners in processing and synthesising information and concepts. Learners co-operate on projects, and are encouraged to work together to understand the topics provided to them. The idea is that learners will achieve a more thorough understanding as a group than they could as individuals by defending their arguments, reframing ideas, listening to various perspectives, and communicating their thoughts.
Benefits
Some benefits of collaborative learning are as follows:
1. Boosts Student Involvement
Collaborative learning is socially and intellectually engaging by definition. It encourages students to form stronger bonds with one another, their professors, their classes, and their learning. It strengthens the students' critical thinking skills and encourages them to participate in delivering answers, explaining their point of view, and justifying their position. Students become active agents in the learning process and collaborate in the production of their own knowledge in these settings. Pupils delving further into the subject matter and forming new associations from previous knowledge, resulting in higher order learning, are examples of students forming their own knowledge.
2. Teamwork And Collaboration Become Imperative
Students will inevitably experience variances in collaborative teaching scenarios, and they must become accustomed to recognising and working with these disparities. When working in a community or collaborative real-world setting, skills that include building the capacity for tolerating or resolving conflicts, forming agreements that honour all of a group's voices, and caring for others become essential. Furthermore, collaborative working environments promote the development of collaboration, community building, and leadership abilities, all of which are important in fostering a good interdependence environment, which is an added benefit while working in a group.

3. Dialogues And Duties
Collaborative learning allows students to develop an active voice in expressing their ideas and values, as well as a sensitive ear for hearing other people's views and perspectives. Dialogue, discussion, and consensus-building, notwithstanding potential disagreements between teammates, are essential threads in the fabric of collaborative learning environments, whether you’re at school, the workplace, and in general.
The Importance Of Collaborative Learning In Virtual Classrooms
When active collaborative learning is integrated with the use of technology, the influence on student performance is amplified. When students use technology in a collaborative learning setting, they are more in sync with their learning processes because technology facilitates successful communication.

For example, with most classes being held over online video communication platforms, the gap between students and teachers when it comes to learning has lessened. When group projects are assigned to the students, they divide the topics among themselves, do their research, and designate a time to meet virtually and discuss their findings. This step is repeated until the final outcome is achieved, which is then presented virtually to the class via screen sharing.
Similarly, immersive learning platforms, such as Roblox, have made it a point to provide free resources to students and educators alike, to give them clarity on their subjects.
With such working methods and tools, it is safe to say that the idea of collaborative learning has worked out well in virtual classrooms. Students are increasingly using digital communication in their daily lives.