Assessing Benefits of Collaborative Learning Environment for Quality Higher Education in Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the benefits of collaborative learning Environment in Institutions of Higher Learning . This study is concern with the benefits of collaborative learning environment on students for better understanding. Collaborative learning represents a philosophy of life as well as learning strategy. It says that whatever people get together in groups their purposes are best served when they work together collaboratively to reach their goals versus using competition among group members to address problems. It embodied the learning community philosophies. Our current educational system, however, is based upon competition among students for grades, scholarships, admissions to top schools and social recognition, etc. In order to change this paradigm, collaborative learning structures will need to be introduced at the earliest learning situations and used throughout each students learning career starting in preschool-and continuing through kindergarten and higher education. In order to accomplish this change in student behavioural attitudes teachers will need to adopt a new role. They will need to step down from the podium and switch from lecturing to facilitating student interactions in class. The findings revealed that collaborative learning environment has a beneficial influence in the lives of the students for better understanding and full participation. Based on findings, it was recommended that collaborative learning environment should be encouraged in tertiary institutions as it is never static. It benefits the students in many ways and also benefits the teachers through sharing of ideas, brainstorming and critical-thinking about problems which arise with the co-operative approach.

DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n6p85