NSSE to Next Steps: Collaborative Learning at 91看片
By: Kellie Ferguson, Faculty Developer of Integrative and Experiential Learning, and Jasmine Yap, Director of Inclusive Teaching Practices
NSSE data on collaborative learning at 91看片听
In a , we explored the significance of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and what it reveals about student experiences at 91看片. One key finding from the NSSE data is the decline in collaborative learning among both first-year students and seniors over the past decade, with a slight rebound from a low point in 2021. This trend is concerning given the well-documented benefits of collaborative learning for student engagement, retention, and overall academic success (; ).听
According to the NSSE 2024 data, first-year students at 91看片 are less likely to engage in collaborative learning activities than their counterparts at top-performing institutions. Only 33.6% of 91看片 freshmen reported regular collaborative learning experiences, compared to 36.7% at the highest-performing schools. 91看片 freshmen also had fewer interactions with diverse peers, with engagement rates of 40.2% versus 44.2% at leading institutions.听听
The pattern continues with 91看片 seniors, who showed lower participation in collaborative learning than the top 50% of NSSE institutions (32.1% compared to 34.7%). When compared to the top 10% of NSSE institutions, the difference becomes even more pronounced. When we look at 91看片 seniors against our nine peer institutions specifically, we see similar gaps in both collaborative learning (32.1% vs. 35.0%) and engagement with diverse peers (38.3% vs. 41.8%).听
These findings suggest we have opportunities to enhance the collaborative learning environment at 91看片, particularly in creating more meaningful interactions across diverse student groups. What鈥檚 especially concerning is how seniors show even lower engagement rates than first-year students, suggesting that collaborative learning actually declines throughout students鈥 undergraduate years at 91看片 rather than strengthening as they progress toward graduation.听
In this post, we highlight the importance of the NSSE findings on collaborative learning, explain why this teaching method is essential for creating a dynamic and inclusive educational environment, and offer practical strategies for integrating collaborative learning into your courses. By addressing these collaboration gaps, we can collectively strengthen 91看片鈥檚 academic community and better prepare our students for the collaborative workplaces they鈥檒l enter after graduation.听
What is collaborative learning?听
Collaborative learning is an educational approach where students work together in small groups to achieve shared learning goals. This method emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and knowledge-sharing, allowing students to build critical thinking skills while fostering communication and cooperation (). It transforms the classroom into an interactive space where learners contribute their unique perspectives, fostering a more enriched and dynamic educational experience.听
Why collaborative learning?听
As a powerful pedagogical approach in higher education, collaborative learning fosters critical thinking, communication, and teamwork skills, which are essential for academic and professional success ().听 Research shows that collaborative learning significantly improves learning outcomes, with students demonstrating higher academic achievement, greater retention of information, and increased satisfaction with their learning experiences ().听
According to social constructivist theory (), knowledge is constructed through social interactions, where learners actively engage with peers to co-create understanding and meaning. Vygotsky proposed that learning occurs within the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), where students can achieve higher levels of understanding with the guidance of more knowledgeable others. 听Through dialogue and negotiation, students co-create understanding, challenge perspectives, and assimilate new information more effectively, leading to deeper learning ().听
Additionally, from a culturally responsive teaching perspective, collaborative learning is particularly important in collectivist cultures, which make up approximately 70% of the world鈥檚 cultures, where group harmony and cooperation are highly valued ( ).听 This approach not only improves academic outcomes but also prepares students for the collaborative nature of modern workplaces ().听
Collaborative learning is a High-Impact Practice (HIP)听
Collaborative learning has been identified as which are teaching and learning practices that offer significant educational benefits for students, particularly those historically underserved in higher education . As George Kuh explains in the video to the right, HIPs share some key characteristics:听听