Constructivism at Work- is collaboration instinctual?

Competition is human capitalism, however, in order to reach success one cannot diminish the value of collaboration or team work. No one can do it all alone. However, in order for that to happen the transaction must provide some mutual benefit. Rheingold (2008) raises the social question about productivity from agriculture, early civilizations, empires to present and how "collective action" either voluntarily or for hire to fulfill evolutions, forward revolutions and reach objectives.

Constructivist principles that support concepts and tasks such as collaboration, sharing, scaffolding and situated learning can be facilitated by technology. The ability to interact asynchronously or in real-time and share notes, exchange ideas, presentations, edit, peer review, video share, plan and complete a task via electronic means increases the functionality of constructivism.

Rheingold (2008) says learning more about cooperation is key to future success -- "the pay off is going to be big."

Below is a recent discussion about constructivism:
Constructivist Teaching and Content Coverage: (Not Such) Unlikely Bedfellows"

QuinnipiacUniversity

Literature searches highlight numerous examples of research concerning these constructivist/collaborative approaches. Eduoard, Dominique, Moussiliou, Francis, Khaled and Serge (2009) introduced collaboration between two public health schools in France and Benin. While the case study concludes that combining contact sessions with distance education would work best, , it recommends that "African institutions the develop academically rigorous, internationally validated courses via inter-institutional collaborations" (p. 4).

Similarly, Jones (2010) explains how the need to provide cost-effective instruction continues to present pedagogical challenges that tools like, wiki technology, can help to mitigate. "Wiki technology represents an example of a specific tool that may be used to increase flexibility in the delivery of course material while also promoting equity and collaboration amongst students" (p. 226).

Another recent study to add to your reading list is:

Salmon , Nie, and Edirisingha (2010): Developing a five-stage model of learning in Second Life.


References

Edouard, G., Dominique, B., Moussiliou, P., Francis, G., Khaled, B., & Serge, B. (2009). E-Learning   and North-South collaboration: the experience of two public health schools in France and Benin. Pan African Medical Journal, 31-6.

Jones, P. (2010). Collaboration at a Distance: Using a Wiki to Create a Collaborative Learning Environment for Distance Education and On-Campus Students in a Social Work Course. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 30(2), 225-236. doi:10.1080/08841231003705396

Rheingold, H. (2008, February). Howard Rheingold on collaboration [Video file]. Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

Salmon, G., Nie, M., & Edirisingha, P. (2010). Developing a five-stage model of learning in Second Life. Educational Research, 52(2), 169-182. doi:10.1080/00131881.2010.482744