The Advantages and Challenges of Group Work in Online Learning Environments

Abstract

Computer-based learning environments have had a considerable development in higher education as well as organizational and industrial settings because of the increased accessibility to computers and the internet. Moreover, educational experts and researchers are paying more attention to the importance of human interaction in the learning process. One of the key factors in the success of online learning environments is providing facilities for increased group work and learner cooperation. Group work and effective cooperation in online environments enables learners to be actively involved in learning and therefore, test their knowledge in a social structure and develop new ideas and solutions with the help of their peers. Computer-based group work is an educational approach that combines online technologies with human interactions. In this article, we will initially define computer-based learning groups and explain the fundamental differences between learning groups and work groups. Then, the advantages and challenges of group work in online learning environments will be assessed.