Five Basic Elements of collaborative learning

There are five fundamental elements involved in collaboration learning. In fact these five elements differentiate collaborative learning from other forms of group learning.
Positive Interdependence
It means the group has a clear task or goal  so everyone knows the expected outcome and that the efforts of the group will cause them to either sink or swim together.

• The efforts of each person benefit not only the individual, but also everyone else in the group.
• The key to positive interdependence is committing to personal success as well as the success of every member of the group.

Individual and Group Accountability

The group is accountable for achieving its goals, and each member must be accountable for contributing a fair share of the work toward the group goal. The performance of each individual must be assessed and the results given back to the group.

Interpersonal and small group skills 

It is required to function as part of a group. These are basic teamwork skills.Group members must know how to-and be motivated-provide effective leadership, make decision, build trust, communicate, and manage conflict.

• Completing tasks
• communicating
• Decision making
• Managing conflict
• Appreciating group members

Face-to- Face Promotive Interaction

It means that students promote each other's success by sharing resources. They help, support, encourage, and praise each other's efforts to learn.

Group Processing

Group members need to feel free to communicate openly with each other to express concerns as well as to celebrate accomplishments. The group should regularly discuss how well they are achieving their goals and maintaining effective working relationships.

Additional Elements of Effective Groups:

Effective collaborative teams share the following characteristics:

Full Participation: All team members contribute their time and energy to the project. More importantly, all team members participate in the decision making process.

Trust: Members trust that each member will add value to the project, and members work to ensure that everybody contributes and that appreciation is expressed for different contributions.

Open Communication: Communication is the glue that holds a team together.

Communication is effective when all members:

• Contribute ideas
• Provide feedback constructively.
• Ask for clarification on anything that might be confusing.
• Provide frequent updates.
• Listen to each other carefully.