Imagine a classroom where you are sitting with your fellow students and understanding the topics in a collaborative way. A typical classroom is a place where you share your understanding and personal connection with your friends and make your learning even more interesting. However, this cannot happen in online learning.

Conventional e-learning system cannot provide a student friendly environment where students learn trough Sharing insights, challenges throughout their learning journey.

According to a study conducted by Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research shows that Student satisfaction levels concerning e-learning gives us a mixed opinions. While more than one-third of the students are dissatisfied, so there is much room for improvement, the relatively few satisfied ones count only 21.5%. A significant proportion, that is 38.4%, falls into the "manageable" category, meaning that their experiences were neither particularly good nor bad. Only 6.9% of the students answered that they are very satisfied with their e-learning experiences.

This is where cohort-based learning come up with the collaborative learning for students where they can share their insights and learn team building by facing the shared challenges in their learning journey.

So, what does cohort-based learning really mean?

Cohort-based learning is a way of online education in which the learner will learn about his courses or concepts while being part of the learning group, which shares the same educational goals and also faces the same challenges in terms of education.

Working in a group as a part of it will facilitate the interaction between the learners through discussions and group projects or assignments, where they learn together how to work as a team by facing challenges together.

Implementing cohort-based learning in e-learning will tackle the hurdles like lack of concentration, interest and also improves the positive emotions like sense of belongingness and team work and some of the benefits which you’ll get are

➤ Increased course completion rates

➤ Improves soft skills among the students

➤ Builds brand image and credibility

➤ Structured learning experience

➤ Builds supportive learning community

To understand these benefits in detailed analysis, check out our top 5 Benefits of cohort-based learning

Understanding key Challenges in Cohort-based learning

1.    Diverse Learning Paces

Students learn at different rates due to the differences in processing speed and style, some are fast and hasty learners whereas others are slow and reflective. Therefore, each student's rate of learning will fit a little differently with his ability, making him able to learn faster or learn it deeper.

When you start your cohort-based learning journey at your own pace, there will be two chances: one, you will learn faster compared to your fellow group members, and you should wait for them or support them to bring them to your stage.

Second, if you will learn slowly, and if you fall behind the group's pace of learning, you will expect someone from the group to give you a helping hand to pick you up and bring to you the group's learning pace.

In the case of cohort-based learning, the mixed pace can disrupt the progress and even engagement of the entire group, as the faster members may lose interest and the others could be put under pressure due to their slow pace. This will thereby disallow the collaborative and synchronous aspects of cohort models. To know more about the research, click here.

2.    Time Management Conflicts

The cohort-based learning model has a fixed timing schedule for your class, which cannot be missed. Sometimes you are in a situation where you cannot present for the class due to your personal or even sometimes professional problems.

However, the missed class will not be attainable once you are absent, so time management is crucial for cohort-based classes.

A Study shows that students who can manage their time effectively have better grades and also express less pressure, whereas students with poor time management have worse academic outcomes and are usually stressed. For more detailed information, click here 

3.    Group Dynamics issues

Every human being is different from their nature because of their upbringing environment or their attitude and choices. In cohort, groups are also created from different individuals.

So, different individuals bring their different perspectives and opinions, which may lead to debates or disagreements, and even in some worst-case scenarios, it may create conflict, which may affect the overall group progress.

It is observed by the research that among the students, group dynamics depend upon their social integration, communication styles, and group structure. conflicts due to uneven participation or lack of equitable involvement may be some of the challenges derived from these factors. These can then affect a group’s performance as well as consequences for individual students. For further details, click here.

4.    Limited Flexibility

The cohort-learning structure is so rigid and interdependent with the group members that there is no free place to make some changes according to your preferences.

If you want to make some customization according to your preferences, then there is no flexibility in the course where you can make some customization according to your convenience.

These issues from the cohort-based learning model can cause you stress and anxiety and also affect your overall educational progress. But with the right strategies, you can navigate them effectively.

A study shows that a lack of flexibility way of teaching can restrict students’ ability to interact, apply their knowledge in practically, and limit self-directed learning, which ultimately effects students’ engagement and performance. For more detailed study, click here.

How to Overcome the Challenges?

So, how can you overcome the challenges that we discussed? Here is a practical solution for the problems that you are facing while in cohort-based learning:

1. Adjust Your Expectations

To address your pacing issues, you have to understand and adjust yourself to the fact that cohort-based learning is not an individual-focused learning model; instead, it is a group-based model.

Adjust your expectations from your sole performance to group-wise performance, and find the value in your group discussion and peer support.

A study by Wiley online library shows that having a positive perception towards the study will boost their academics by 16%, so having a positive attitude towards the academic will benefit you. For further study of this study, can click.

2. Master Time Management

To address the time management issue, you have to focus on the clear priorities that are more important for you at that moment and try to prioritize them based on the value they may give.

You can tackle the time management issue by forming the schedule according to your prioritized things to do. And be punctual in time management.

3. Manage your group dynamics

If you want to avoid group conflicts, then you should be clear with your opinions and maintain clear communication with your fellow group members, where there should be no misunderstanding or any group conflicts.

In case the situation is out of your control, try to appoint a group facilitator in the first place; the facilitator will handle the rest if there are any conflicts raised and encourage the overall group.

4. Create flexibility where possible

Suppose the cohort-based learning model has very little flexibility to customize your course as suitable for you. Then find the small ways to customize it.

For instance, you could deep dive into your favorite concept and learn the concepts in your free time or find another way to gather information, like supplementary resources, to enhance your understanding of your topic.

Helping tools and resources

To resolve the challenges, you will face during the cohort-based learning, some tools may help you to overcome your challenges.

The following are the tools and resources:

LMS Tools

Learning management systems (LMS) such as Learnyst can enhance your cohort-based learning experience. Learnyst has all the tools that will allow you to access all course materials.

And has features like communicating with your cohort instructors, tracking your progress during the course, and submitting the assignments, all in one organized place.

Time Management Apps

To manage your time productively, you should use a time management application like Trello, Todo list, or Google Calendar to keep track of deadlines.

These apps will help you to remind yourself of the schedule of your daily work and also keep you accountable for every moment you spend on a productive day.

Communication Platforms

To counter group dynamics, you should be clearer with your communication in your group, so for better communication, you can use platforms like Slack or Discord, which are great for keeping in touch with your cohort group outside of your classroom. Clear communication leads to a better bond with the group members, which eventually helps you to reach your learning goals.

Supplementary Learning Tools

Use the online free resources like Khan Academy, Coursera, or LinkedIn to learn about your course concepts, and you will explore topics that require further learning or study to engage with the course.

Mediation Tools

If group dynamics are raising any issues related to your course or your learning goals, then you may use mediation platforms like Calm, which can help you manage your stress and maintain a positive mindset for learning.

Thoughts

Cohort-based learning can be useful for understanding any topic or course that is taught with a fellow group of people who share common goals and also face common challenges while learning the course.

But in terms of learning, there are some challenges like pacing issues, time management, group dynamics, and a lack of flexibility in your course. By adjusting your expectations, improving time management, and handling group dynamics, you will not only overcome the challenges in the course period but also learn the importance of these concepts, which can be useful in your future life situations.

Start Your Online Teaching Journey Today With Learnyst!