Exploring students’ perceptions of collaborative learning in Lund University's online GIS courses

Abstract

As the prevalence of courses offered online steadily increases in higher education, the need to
provide the same benefits of face‐to‐face learning grows as well. This study probes the
challenges of integrating collaborative learning elements in the online learning environment.
Findings from education literature are presented as well as the results from an online survey
that was sent to current students of Lund University’s online Geographical Information
Systems courses. The advantages and disadvantages of incorporating collaborative learning
into present courses are observed and discussed, and practical recommendations are offered
to improve the learning benefits of collaborative learning in online education.