There is significant debate regarding the definition and differences of collaborative learning vs. cooperative learning. This article argues that there are more similarities than differences between the two terms. In the definition and understanding of both collaborative and cooperative learning,

• learning is active
• the teacher is seen as a facilitator
• teaching and learning are shared experiences
• students participants in small group activities
• students take responsibility for learning
• students are stimulated to reflect with their own assumptions + thought processes
• social and team skills are developed through the give and take of consensus.

Because the similarities outweigh the differences, this article considers cooperative and collaborative learning as the same. Thus, collaborative learning will be the term used to describe and represent both terms.