Comparing Consensus And Difference In Collaborative Learning

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Founder of Ford motor company and inventor of the assembly line, Henry Ford once said “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Just like Ford, for over many years’ people argue how collaborating learning can be helpful. One of them is John Trimbur from the article “Consensus and Difference in Collaborative Learning.” He examines two different perspectives of collaborating learning, and how we can improve our collaborating learning among groups. Overall, I thought it was a great article, yet there are challenges with collaborating learning. Here are some suggestions to make collaborating learning work. Education is one of the most important things in our life and many people value it. For …show more content…
“…collaborative learning is an inherently dangerous and potentially totalitarian practice that stifles individual voice and creativity, suppresses differences, and enforces conformity.” (Trimbur 602) I agree with this idea for those who do the work will gain experience while those who don’t do anything are learning nothing. This could create problems between the classmates, but if we find a better solution to this problem everyone could benefit from collaborating learning. For example, groups could be asked to take turns sharing their opinions instead of having few students talk. Students could get to know each other before doing group work that way they feel comfortable working with each other. This is one the best technique because most of the time it does work. For example, when I have to do group work and I don’t know the people in the group I get nervous, become quite and don’t usually speak to any of them. On the other hand if I know the people then I am able to be myself, communicate with other members and do the entire group …show more content…
Many people states this is great thing however other like Trimbur are worried that our differences will hurt other people. Trimbur states “…the fear that collaborative learning denies differences and threatens individuality” (Trimbur 603) it may be true that there is danger working with a group as someone might get their feelings hurt. However people are not going to agree with what you say all the time. By working with a group students can learn to express their opinion, know how to persuade others in getting to see them their view point. We grow from getting hurt and if we don’t make mistakes, we are not going to learn anything. Our view point may be wrong or we may have lack information on the topic and the other person's may be right. This is not a perfect world, people will go against you and doing group work students will get to learn to defend themselves and stand up for their beliefs. They also get to know what other person opinion is on the same topic. Everyone is unique; we all have different perspectives on the same thing. Working with others is a great way to gain this experience. Also someone who takes risk are more likely going to be successful in life rather than someone who stays in their comfort zone. Some suggestion to diminish conflict might be to have rules for groups. For example, classmates can’t bully other students where they don’t even want to express their opinion or