Exploring Collaborative Learning Practices in Teacher Education in Uganda: Students' Experiences of Collaborative Learning at Health Tutors' College - Mulago
Keywords:
Collaborative Learning,, Student Centred,, Collaborative Practices.Abstract
Collaborative learning (CL) has been described as a student-centred and innovative
approach to teaching and learning, which promotes the development of 21st century skills
such as collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills,
teamwork and personal development, and enhances academic achievement among learners.
This study explored the experiences of students regarding collaborative learning at a Health
Tutors’ College in Uganda, in order to identify best practices for promoting and optimizing
collaborative learning in teacher education. A qualitative approach was used and data was
collected through focus group discussions, which elicited students’ lived experiences
regarding the collaborative learning approach on their Bachelor of Medical Education
study program. The findings revealed that students had experienced collaborative learning
in very few subjects, the lecturers’ facilitation of collaborative learning was largely
inadequate, as practices were largely teacher centred . Nonetheless, students had a positive
attitude towards and preferred the collaborative learning approaches to the traditional
teacher centred practices, even for their future careers. The study recommends sensitization
and orientation of all college staff and students towards collaborative learning for full
adoption of collaborative learning by the entire college community.
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