Cloud computing and collaborative learning

By MIT Horizon

In exploring how emerging technologies can help elucidate ideas about learning, let’s float over to cloud computing, and think about how it relates to collaborative learning.

Cloud computing defined

Cloud computing is a model for remotely delivering computing services, such as storage, databases, software, analytics, and other functions that, traditionally, would be handled on premises. That is, rather than having each individual company build out its own technological infrastructure, cloud computing allows a company to leverage remote resources in a data center, accessed securely and remotely.

Let’s cover some of the benefits of cloud computing that can help us think about elements of collaborative learning.

Specialization

One of the key benefits of cloud computing is the options it provides. Users can selectively choose services and applications they need, building solutions around particular capabilities. Similarly, one of the great benefits of collaborative learning is leveraging the specific expertise and perspectives of a variety of people. Engaging with peers provides opportunities to challenge ideas, clarify concepts, and gain new insights that go beyond what an individual may have been able to achieve on their own. Research has found that, in particular, collaborative learning may be helpful in cases when participants are still developing their understanding of the material. To help facilitate this kind of engagement, specific roles can be assigned to team members, allowing them to focus their development on a subset of what needs to be learned. This can help break up a large piece of work into smaller, more manageable chunks, but it also helps people specialize and then bring that specific perspective back to the larger group.‍

Flexibility

Not all learning tasks are equally suited to collaborative learning approaches. Research has found that certain activities, such as learning complex procedures (e.g., how to solve a particular kind of math problems), may be better learned individually. That is because this kind of learning requires focused, repetitive practice with immediate feedback, which will be disrupted in a group setting. In contrast, tasks that involve understanding complex concepts and finding solutions tend to benefit from a collaborative approach. Group discussions and working through ideas together allows learners to leverage their combined cognitive resources in ways that enhance the overall learning.‍

Streamlining through structure

One of the benefits of cloud computing is that it can cut down on the time spent dealing with establishing underlying infrastructure. This allows developers to focus on creating and deploying solutions, minimizing the complexity and chaos that can come with starting a new project. Similarly, collaborative learning benefits from being well-structured and plugging into existing templates and scripts. Research has found that merely asking people to work together doesn’t guarantee success, and is often a recipe for disorganization. Instead, structured activities, such as scripted dialogues and predefined roles for each participant, can help create a framework that supports effective collaboration. For example, one study found a benefit to offering a 10-minute training on using language that helps promote effective cooperative learning. Individual’s learning improved when they were part of a team that was provided simple sample language for how they could explain their thinking and how they could better understand their teammates’ approaches.‍

Reaching for the Clouds

Cloud computing allows more users to build and scale solutions that would have been difficult and costly to implement on their own. Similarly, well-structured collaborative learning experiences can enhance educational outcomes beyond what an individual might be able to achieve with the same time and effort. In both spheres, specialization, flexibility, and structure help power those benefits.

Part of MIT Open Learning, MIT Horizon is comprised of a continuous learning library, events, and experiences designed to help organizations keep their workforce ahead of disruptive technologies.

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