The Theories

Follow the links below to learn more about each collaborative learning theory:

  • Individuals learn and develop in a social context
  • Social learning precedes development
  • Social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition

Cognitive Elaboration Perspectives - Dansereaau, O'Donnell & Webb
  • Information processing processes – such as encoding, schema activation, rehearsal, meta-cognition, retrieval – performed in the presence of peers result in deeper learning and motivation

Social Interdependence Theory - Johnson & Johnson
  • Social interdependence exists when the accomplishment of each individual’s goals is affected by action of others
  • Promotive interaction – where individuals encourage and facilitate each other’s efforts to complete tasks, achieve or produce in order to reach groups’ goals – relies on positive social interdependence

Connectivism - G. Siemens
  • Learning in a digital age is a continual process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources, involving .meta-skills such as evaluation, drawing connections/distinguishing and .decision-making

Cognitive Development Theory - L.S. Vygotsky
  • Social interaction between the learner and a knowledge adult is essential to cognitive development
  • The zone of proximal development is determined by the cognitive task the learner completes in collaboration with an advanced peer