5b+Justin

Collaborative learning is not new to Judaism. The chevrusa style of learning has been taking place for generations. It is, in fact, "the" way to learn Jewishly, according to many people. What is new is using Web 2.0 to try to achieve the same results as this chavrusa learning. This is often very important, especially to people who many not have ready access to a traditional learning environment.

"We can look at the team as a tool," says Marilee Sprenger. "The team offers each member a method of expression. It also provides an avenue from which to learn, grow, and teach." (Sprenger, pg 65.) Both via 2.0 methods and in traditional style, this couldn't be more true. In my own experiences, sitting and learning from a sefer alone, or even one on one but in a student/teacher relationship (rather than as peers) is very different than two or more similar students learning together. Team members bring shared ideas and valuable perspectives to the table. Sprenger does discuss the several ways in which collaborative learning can be challenging, especially for highly introverted people (like me) who very much prefer to work and learn alone.

Partners in Torah, a worldwide network of Chavrusa learning, describes the importance of collaborative learning in the following way, including how it goes beyond even just the educational aspect: "Whether you act ually study with someone or end up simply including them in your life in some meaningful way due to the connection, you'll be giving them and yourself an incomparable gift. With modest expectation, you can make a massive difference." (Gewirtz, pgs 26-27.) Partners in Torah, arguably the world's largest distance chavrusa program, began using phone conversations. Now, much of their learning takes place via Skype.

I do not advocate for replacing the standard chavrusa (and seforim) learning with Web 2.0. However, as Partners in Torah has shown hundreds of Jews, it fills many (especially geographical) gaps for many people all over the world, B"H.

Gewirtz, Rabbi Eli. "Partners in Torah, Partners in Eternity." Southfield, MI: Targum Press, Inc, 2009.

Sprenger, Marilee. "Brain-Based Teaching in the Digital Age." Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2010.