This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of employing collaborative and customized learning in the context of aligning each with what teachers want their students to experience and learn. Both collaborative and individualized techniques are useful under certain conditions. As with all educational approaches, teachers need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy for practical use.
Additionally, teachers need to know when and how to adopt each of these educational approaches. Some experts suggest using only one of these teaching styles. However, collaborative and individualized technologies need not be mutually exclusive. In some cases they can even be used to complement each other.
Let’s take a look at each approach and explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of each to better understand the differences between them.
individual learning
Independent learning requires students to learn independently. Students learn at their own pace in this form of education. You will also study the learning materials and achieve your learning goals independently. This strategy focuses on meeting each student’s individual educational needs. Independent learning has the following advantages and disadvantages:
advantage
1. Creative learning
If you study alone, you will find many ways to get information. stick to your heartCreativity, like any skill, develops through practice, so the ability for autonomous learners to think outside the box is well developed. For example, many self-taught Spanish speakers learned Spanish by watching TV shows, repeating conversations, listening to songs and translating words.
2. Tailor-made learning
Students need to be encouraged and motivated to understand the subject matter and achieve their goals. Private tutoring makes it easier to determine a student’s interests and preferences. Teachers can take advantage of this and adapt their teaching methods accordingly.
A good teacher should be prepared for any eventuality and adapt their lesson plans to meet the specific needs of their students. This is, MAEducation Programs like those offered by the University of Exeter are especially helpful for teachers. Teachers can learn about teaching methods and how to shape the future of education. This program is built around understanding learning as a complex and dynamic process. This knowledge is evident in the use of collaborative and interactive learning methodologies in teaching, learning and assessment.
3. Learn to learn
There is a difference between memorizing for an exam and understanding the learning process. Students who are not given autonomous learning choices need to understand how to explore learning methods and principles from different perspectives.
Disadvantage
1. Discourage Communication
Some believe that there is a better model for children than individual learning because it interferes with communication and social cohesion with other students. can cause serious problems. Some young people learn better when connected with others rather than alone.
2. Core material
If you’re new to themes, it can be hard to know where to start. What paper should I read? What course should I take? What is it related to my job? What is white noise? Many self-paced training courses are responsible for understanding what the learner needs to know . However, individuals can waste time mastering unnecessary material while overlooking the most important topics.
group learning
Group study can mean many different things, so the best way to start is by defining what group study means. Although the phrases collaborative learning and collaborative learning are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference.
Collaborative learning emphasizes the contributions of individual group members, emphasizes shared authority, and leads to discourse and consensus building on issues with no clear right or wrong answers. Students can still manage group governance and group processing.
Collaborative learning is often considered a subtype of collaborative learning that requires more significant instructor intervention. The tasks and group structure for completing the work are designed by the instructor, including the division of duties among group members. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of group learning.
advantage
1. Reduce anxiety
When students work independently, the only thing they can rely on is their mind. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but if students fixate on topics they don’t understand, they may feel too humiliated to ask their teacher for help. One of the benefits of group learning is the opportunity to enlist the help of peers. Another way she says group learning activities reduce anxiety is that the focus isn’t just limited to students or content.
2. More Perspectives
The adage “two heads are better than one” has some value. Researchers have found that when students are able to collaborate on a problem-solving task, they tend to try multiple approaches to accomplishing it.
3. Strengthen communication skills
Everyone has a say when it comes to group learning. Therefore, each member can contribute his or her thoughts and improve verbal communication in group study situations.
Disadvantage
1. Learning pace
Some people need different paces in performing tasks and learning to understand and absorb knowledge. Some groups may move too fast for one person and the person may get confused and copy.
2. Distraction
Some students thrive in group environments, while others find it difficult to concentrate in group environments. At times, the discussion veers away from study and into casual topics and current affairs, confusing some students’ trains of thought and leading them astray. In this case, studying alone can be beneficial, especially if you need to give your full attention to the material at hand.
Which is better?
Both individual and collaborative learning are successful strategies, but they also have drawbacks. Consider your preferences, needs, personality, strengths and weaknesses when deciding on a plan. Only then can you determine which strategy is the best. However, when possible, we recommend finding a middle ground between the two so that students are not overwhelmed with assignments and each student can benefit from both types of learning.
