Many universities, both online or traditional in-person, may single out cohort-style learning as one of the main reasons to attend their university or program. But what is cohort-style learning and how does it differ from a traditional, non-cohort style program? Continue reading to discover the ins and outs of the cohort learning model, including why many institutions find it so beneficial.
Defining Cohort Learning
Cohort-style learning is a Unlike a traditional learning model, cohort-style learning strongly emphasizes collaboration, communication, and cohesion – encouraging students to address and solve problems as one rather than individually or in isolated pairs.
How Cohort Learning is Applied
Cohort-style learning is applied in a similar capacity to a traditional or online instruction setting. Students enroll in a program or course, complete all required material, and receive recognition upon completion. However, in a cohort-style model, students progress through the program as a unit rather than an individual, which is commonly found in many online or traditional courses.
An example would be two students who enroll together in a traditional or asynchronous program. While they may complete the same curriculum, one of the students ends up graduating eight months apart from the other one. The cohort model aims to eliminate the disparity in graduation time and program progression by advancing students through each lesson together.
The cohort-style learning can be found in both in-person and online formats. Both of these applications look similar with the distinction of online cohorts being facilitated through online learning platforms and collaborative environments rather than a classroom. Specific applications of the model can vary based on the program or course enrolled in – some instructors apply the model on a smaller scale while some infuse it within the completion of the course.
Why is Cohort-Style Learning Effective?
There are many advantages to cohort-style programs – including stark differences and improvements in both retention and outcomes when compared to alternative programs or courses.
Among the primary benefits of the model is that students are driven to and encouraged to foster greater collaborations and teamwork when compared to a self-paced or non-cohort program. Not only do students collaborate more, but they are also more engaged in the coursework and are more inclined to uplift and support classmates who may struggle to retain complex concepts.
In a study performed by learnpoly on cohort-based learning statistics, a stark differential emerges in program completion and retention rates in cohort programs compared to self-paced. While self-paced programs report a completion rate as low as 3%, those in cohort programs returned a completion rate of 90%. Furthermore, there is a 69% greater chance those enrolled in a cohort program will retain information learned during the course than those in a self-paced program.
Cohort Learning at the University of Providence
At the University of Providence, cohort models can be found throughout our undergraduate, graduate, and academic certificate programs. Through cohort-style learning at UP, students progress through each course together as a cohesive unit, relying on one another and their instructors for support and guidance as they complete required coursework.
Find out which programs utilize cohort-style learning by visiting the Explore Programs page
