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Collaborative learning is learning that involves groups of students working together to solve a problem, complete a task, or create a product. Educators have long known that learning is a social process. Even when you think you’re learning on your own, like when you’re reading this book, you are engaged in a relationship with the person who wrote these sentences. Because we know the benefits of learning in groups, we have developed collaborative learning activities to encourage the development of the skills needed to engage in group work.

There are several principles underlying the use of collaborative learning activities in a classroom, particularly in the First Year Seminar. As Cornell’s Center for Teaching Excellence web site explains,

These principles are the reasons that the First Year Seminar is focused on a wicked problem that you will work on with a group of your peers.

In addition, the wicked problem that your section of First Year Seminar is focused on can’t be solved by individuals working on their own. In order to even begin to understand a wicked problem, we have to approach it from multiple perspectives. This requires us to talk to and collaborate with other people about their understanding of the problem. So not only will you work with a group of your peers on your wicked problem, you will actively seek out the perspectives of people outside of your class regarding the wicked problem.