Learning is a social process One cannot divide learning from physical, social and cultural contexts. Microscopically, there is more attention in the social process and cooperation. Cooperation provides multiple perspectives, unhindered exchange of concepts and the possibility to explore together new ideas, to prove existing suggestions and avoid the development of misinterpretations. Learning by cooperative problem solving promotes motivation and can extend learning resources. But not only problem solving can be an assignment, also collaborative reflection and discussion.
Students can reflect on different models, articles, etc.
This provides multiple perspectives in two ways, the students get to know the different models or articles with their different perspectives and the different perspectives of the peer-students on these models or articles. Collaborative learning should be carefully prepared by the designer. The students have to know, what the assignments are, the requirements, the schedule and the way of communicating with each other, technical and social. There are different ways to organise the communication technically. Students can have a shared workspace, discuss in newsgroups, use email.