What is Online Collaborative Learning?
Online Collaborative Learning is a new theory of learning that focuses on
collaborative learning, knowledge building, and internet use as a means to
reshape, formal, non-formal and informal education for the Knowledge Age.
OCL theory provides a model of learning in which students
are encouraged and supported to work together to create knowledge: to invent,
to explore ways to innovate and by so doing to seek the conceptual knowledge
needed to solve problems rather than recite what they think is the right
answer.
The use of the internet is an add on that complements the
existing curriculum. The online
activities do not replace traditional techniques but are rather used to enhance the class activities.
OCL involves
~student use of the internet to search for course resources
as well as course related research
~it
provides a new approach for extending group discussion
~computer
conferences allows for the continuation of discussion which was initiated in
class or the inclusion of guests (speakers) from other locations.
According to Linda
Harasim , there are three key important phases in the Core Design Principles of
OCL
- Idea generating ( brainstorming to collect the divergent thinking within a group)
- Idea organizing ( learners compare, analyze and categorize the different ideas previously generated, again through discussion and argument
- Intellectual convergence ( to reach a level of intellectual synthesis, understanding and consensus, usually through joint construction of some artefact or piece of work , such as an essay of assignment.
Online Collaborative Learning is
rooted in Constructivism
OCL is a form of Constructivist teaching that takes the form
of instructor -led group learning online.
Linda Harasim is a key contributor in developing OCL. The original theory was called Computer
Mediated Communication (CMC) or Networked Learning.
Harasim’s diagram illustrates the process of the learner as
one who is never truly finished generating, organizing, and synthesizing ideas
but continues these processes at progressively deeper levels.
The teacher is critical to the knowledge construction of the
learner/course through facilitating the process and providing resources for the
group. It is also critical for the teacher
to make sure that the core concepts and practices of the subject domain are
fully integrated.
Major influences of the OCL occurred with the introduction
of the world wide web in the mid 1990s.
The 21st
century also brought about a shift from the Industrial Age to the Knowledge Age
and has brought about a new mind set in education. We now have the first generation to grow up in
the digital age called the Net Generation ( Students born since the 1980s. The digital age has made them collaborate in
different ways from the past. OCL is in
response to these challenges and needs.
Applications
Teachers can improve online collaboration in their classrooms
by incorporating web based tools such as, Wikis, Blogs and Social Bookmarking.
Classroom Blog: This can be used as a way to relay
information to pupils and parents. It is
a central area to find any information.
Homework Blog: is an online place where pupils post their
homework.
Class Notes Wiki:
This is a knowledge base wikik where information is recorded
Group Wiki: This can be used for a group project without the
need for meeting face to face outside of class time.
Using OCL in an elementary classroom, can be used by placing
students in small groups. Each child in
the group is responsible for a certain portion of the project. The students would individually research
their information and then post it in a Blog which would then be shared with
the whole class.
Links
References
Harasim, Linda ( 2012) Learning Theory and Online
Technologies, New York, NY ( Routledge)
Bates, A.W. (Tony)
(2015) Teaching in a Digital Age.
Guideline for designing, teaching and learning. Opentextbc.ca
Roberts, Tim S , (2004) Online Collaborative Learning:
Theory and Practice
Learning Theories.com. Learning Theories in Plain English
Ebook. (2005-2016)
Enhancing Learning in the Information Age: A Collaborative
Approach http://www.collaborativelearningonline.info/index.html
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