Comparative Study of Group Collaboration in Higher Education in China and the United States

Abstract

With the progress of the society, education has received more and more attention. From compulsory education to higher education, educators have been continually exploring more suitable and better pedagogy. In this situation, the application of group collaboration in teaching and learning has been emphasized. In this article, the author mainly compares the current situation of group collaboration in two educational backgrounds: China and the United States. The advantages and disadvantages are analyzed and suggestions for improvement are given. According to the comparison, it can be clearly seen that in the U.S., the educational method of group cooperation is relatively more sophisticated, more commonly used, and more favorably received. In China, the success of group work has been impeded by cultural backgrounds, social environments, teachers and students. These factors have resulted in negative attitudes towards the learning method of group collaboration. Nevertheless, Chinese students remain optimistic about the future of this method. In order to expose students to a wider variety of learning styles, and in order to maximize the value of group work, Chinese educators need to devote more time and energy to changing the status of education and improving the quality of teachers.