Benefits and Challenges of Collaborative Learning in Online Teacher Education

Introduction

In this chapter, I will describe how collaborative learning was designed and incorporated in a graduate level online course in reading for preservice and inservice educators. The purpose of this chapter is not to formally assess or evaluate collaborative learning; instead, I will present my rationale for incorporating collaborative learning experiences in an online education course, the ways in which collaborative learning was incorporated, assessed, and monitored, and lessons learned about benefits and challenges associated with collaborative learning in this situated context. I will also reflect on the role of collaborative learning in teacher preparation courses in the context of 21st century learning. Collaborative learning can support online and teacher preparation learning goals and objectives by promoting critical thinking skills, perspective taking, shared knowledge and decision-making, content knowledge, and reflection.