Group learning and independent learning have several pros and cons. If you’re looking for a partner in your academic journey, check out Group Learning. If you are looking for an exclusive space to explore things on your own terms, check out Independent Learning. Learning in groups and independently can both be beneficial depending on the situation.
Each learning style has specific benefits and challenges, but they can both be effective when used appropriately. In this article, we’ll briefly discuss the disadvantages of independent learning and group learning so that we have a better understanding of what to choose.
Group Learning
Groups are great for many types of learning situations, including large-scale classes, small-group research, and team-based/collaborative projects. It is especially beneficial when you’re trying to acquire a range of perspectives (such as with a class or research project). In team-based/collaborative learning situations, group learning can be helpful because it allows you to have different perspectives on the material.
Different perspectives can help you gain a broader understanding of the material, but sometimes they can also spark creativity and new ideas. In other words, having different perspectives on the same material can help you develop a more nuanced perspective on the material.
Independent Learning
People often think of independent learning as a means for students to explore new ideas and try out new approaches. This might be especially helpful for students who are struggling with a specific topic. In some ways, independent learning is similar to group learning because it involves working with others and having different perspectives on the material.
The key difference here is that you’re on your own. You can choose the topics you want to explore and the approaches you want to take. You could also see this as a type of “individualized” group learning. You might be on your own, but you’re working with a team of experts who can help guide you along the way.
Combining Group and Independent Learning
The truth is that you can combine both group and independent learning methods to get the most out of your educational experience. A hybrid approach might work best for you, depending on your comfort level with the two styles of learning. There are lots of benefits to combining group and independent learning.
For example, hybrid learning can help facilitate active and collaborative learning. Active and collaborative learning are both great, but they frequently get ignored in traditional classroom settings. Hybrid learning can help bridge that gap by bringing the best aspects of both types of learning together.
Why Does Hybrid Learning Exist?
Hybrid learning is useful for many reasons, including the following.
Group learning
It is effective for acquiring a range of perspectives, sparking creativity, and cultivating emotional intelligence. Working with different people and having different perspectives can also help you gain an understanding of yourself.
Independent learning
You can also use independent learning to explore new ideas, work on a specific topic, and gain fluency with a topic. You could also use independent learning to deepen your understanding of a specific topic, explore new topics, and so much more.
Disadvantages of group learning
Over-simplification
Group learning can sometimes cause people to “over-simplify” the material and present an “all-or-nothing” view of the world. There may be a tendency to see the world in black-and-white terms or not to recognize the grey areas.
Biased perspectives
Group learning can also cause people to have biased perspectives. This means that people may not recognize the biases they have or have different biases than others.
Lack of diversity
An additional disadvantage of group learning is that it can sometimes fail to recognize and address diversity. This can be especially problematic for groups that are made up of people of different genders, races, or ethnicities.
Disadvantages of independent learning
Lack of context
Working on a specific topic on your own can sometimes cause you to miss important context or other information that is related to the topic. This can be especially problematic when you’re trying to learn a new topic.
Lack of layered understanding
Working on a specific topic on your own can sometimes cause you to miss the “layered understanding” that you have of the topic. This means that if you have a “thin” understanding of the topic, you can still miss out on a “thick” understanding.
Conclusion
The truth is that both group and independent learning can be effective, depending on the situation. The best approach for you depends on your unique learning style, comfort level with group learning, and your specific goals for the course.
