Introduction

This site has been developed to support the adoption of collaborative learning online by staff within the Faculty of Social Science.

It contains theories, examples of collaborative learning as used previously in Social Sciences, guidelines to getting started, resources and tips in using educational technologies to assist in the process of including collaborative learning methods.

Collaborative Learning
Collaborative learning is the use of small groups so that all students can maximise their learning and that of their peers. It is a process of shared creation: two of more individuals interacting to create a shared understanding of a concept, discipline or area of practice that none had previously possessed or could have come to on their own. Collaboration requires the participation of all.

Educational Technologies
Information technologies such as discussion forums, email, listsrvs and chat facilities as grouped in products such as WebCT, are simply tools. They need to be associated with a well-constructed teaching strategy before they become a beneficial learning resource. This project will provide examples and ideas for collaborative teaching strategies that incorporate information and communication technologies.