How Technologies are Important for Collaborative Learning process?

Learning process starts from individuals but it needs networks and collaborations to enable learners for getting new ideas, new ways of doing and new methods of solving a problem. Hence, collaborative learning process needs some ways for connectivity, tools for spreading knowledge and technologies to move forward your own thinking. These technologies are the source of empowering learners and facilitating them to explore new horizons.

ONL 191 course for Open Networked Learning became a source of motivation for me to explore various technologies for collaborative learning. Zoom (https://zoom.us) is a very useful tool for meetings, workshops, video webinars and to expand traditional classrooms in the cloud.

Padlet (https://padlet.com) provides a unique way to present the content by using a classroom environment along with the feedback by the participants and the concluding material based on the collaborative learning.

Google Drive (https://drive.google.com) is another tool for collaborative learning. It provides space for sharing learning material among the participant learners and the facilitators.

MOOC (Massive open online course) is another way of collaborative learning with the use of technologies. An example for MOOC is https:barbaraoakley.com

The collaborative learning is the result of personal learning networks. These networks are made from networked learning, connectivism and connected learning. This journey starts from online learning community and ends at online learning network. Personal learning network is a social learning space. Strong and weak ties create bonding and bridging social capital, enabling a range of learning opportunities. It enables self-initiated, self-determined informal learning. It allows learning not limited by geographic or temporal boundaries and which may extend across multiple platforms and contexts. It has low barriers to entry using largely free and easily accessible social software across multiple devices.

The educational experience is based on community of inquiry model. This model is based on 3 Ps.

Social presence, cognitive presence and teaching presence provide the blend of knowledge, which encourages collaboration, exchanges information, applies new ideas and enables focused based discussions.