What is the goal of collaborative learning?

The goal of collaborative learning is centered around the idea of students working together to solve problems, utilizing their diverse skills and perspectives within a group setting. This approach promotes interdependence, allowing each student to contribute their unique strengths while also learning from others. By collaborating, students can enhance their understanding of the material, develop critical thinking skills, and create a deeper sense of community in the classroom. This collective effort not only facilitates the learning of content but also promotes essential social skills such as communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution.

The other choices reflect goals that do not align with the principles of collaborative learning. Fostering competition among students might lead to an individualistic approach that contradicts the cooperative nature of collaborative projects. Similarly, having students work independently does not harness the benefits that come from collaborative interactions. Limiting student interaction detracts from the engagement and shared learning experiences that collaboration seeks to enhance. Therefore, option C fully captures the essence of what collaborative learning aims to achieve: group problem-solving and skill-sharing.