The importance and forms of cooperation in the online environment

1. Introduction

In contemporary higher education, marked by digitalization processes and the increasing internationalization of curricula, collaboration in an online environment is becoming an indispensable element of a student-centered pedagogical approach. Online collaboration is not just a technical organizational dimension of distance learning, but a profound pedagogical issue that concerns the structure of learning, the dynamics of interaction, the development of professional competencies, and the building of a sense of belonging to the academic community.

As we have mentioned several times before, the concept of collaborative learning is rooted in socioconstructivist learning theories that assume that knowledge is not mechanically transmitted from teacher to student, but rather that it emerges as a result of active participation in shared learning, discussion, research, and exchange of perspectives. In an online environment, which can be fundamentally characterized by spatial and emotional distance, constant encouragement and implementation of collaboration is essential because it fosters a sense of inclusion and motivation.