Collaboration and Social Networking

Collaboration refers to two or more people working together to solve common problems and issues. Establishing shared meaning and purpose is part of that process. During collaboration, interactive discourse plays a critical role. Participants share their experiences, knowledge, skills, and perspectives during discussions; through this process, they reach a shared understanding and accomplish common goals. With or without an intention of and plan for learning, collaboration activities tend to involve participants in a learning experience. Through collaborative discourse and problem-solving processes, participants learn about a topic from each other, while they devise ways to work effectively by negotiating and sharing responsibilities and decisions and developing an appreciation for diverse perspectives. Collaboration is considered an essential skill for the 21st century. The Partnership for 21st Century ...