Cohort-Based Learning
Cohort-based learning emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and group discussion within a group of students or individuals.
What is Cohort-Based Learning?
Cohort-based learning is a collaborative approach to learning in which students or individuals advance together throughout the duration of a course, program, or project. Instructors or mentors lead the group of students to complete given milestones.
Students, either in-person or online, foster a community within the group by learning together, providing social support, and collaborating. Depending on the course design, there may be an overarching goal for the entire cohort or individual goals for each student set by the instructor.
Definition of Cohort-Based Learning
Cohort-Based Learning Examples
K-12
Regardless of the class size, K-12 instructors can implement cohort-based learning in classrooms by dividing the class size into smaller groups for certain projects. This approach is advantageous for students who may feel more comfortable contributing, finding their voice, or acting as a leader within a smaller group of classmates. Whether for a day, a week, or a semester-long assignment, classmates participate in projects concurrently and advance together within their cohort through inclusive, active, experiential-based learning.
College
Undergraduate and graduate college courses typically implement a form of cohort-based learning to foster deeper connections among the students where there may be a mix of online and in-person courses. Specific courses can have many students enrolled – but the enrichment of the college experience through cohorts can result in long-lasting relationships among students. By working closely within a smaller group, students can form a learning community, provide feedback to one another, and witness classmate growth throughout the course as they reach milestones.
Workplace
Professional institutions can implement cohort-based learning as a means to develop their leadership team, enhance team bonding, or during an annual sales summit. A subject-matter expert or course facilitator can create content designed for group learning, which increases the depth and retention of topics learned. An outcome of cohort-based learning in the sales summit could be a deeper understanding of the collective purpose of the team and their impact on the success of the business, which encourages a sense of camaraderie in the group.
Why Cohort-Based Learning is Important
Builds relationships that last
Cohorts strengthen connections between peers as they share highs and lows in a welcoming space. Group members gain confidence knowing that their learning community is a space where they are growing together.
Emphasizes soft-skill development
Conveying gratitude, expressing support, and delivering constructive feedback to peers may be easier for some students in a smaller group setting. Learning from fellow group members in multiple formats – whether it be in-person, during a Zoom brainstorm, chatting through a Discord channel, or peer-editing Google Slides – builds an aptitude for communication.
Helps long term learning
Everyone learns differently, but active, collaborative group learning allows people to explore concepts and apply them together in live discussions. The cohort-based approach promotes learning and information retention compared to isolated self-study methods.
Cohort-Based Learning Statistics
41% better for memory retention
After two days, you typically remember 28% of learned topics. But, when you use the information, answer questions about it, and discuss it with others, there is a 69% chance you will remember it, according to Learnopoly.
A $200 billion industry
Institutions spend more than $200 billion on various forms of workplace training. There are thousands of videos, courses, and tools built specifically to help people learn. Josh Bersin's article highlights trends in collaborative learning in the workplace.
87% better for course completion
Self-paced courses have completion rates as low as 3%. In contrast, an article from Learnopoly asserts that cohort-based courses often see completion rates of over 90%.
Cohort-Based Learning Resources
Building a Platform for Cohort-Based Online Courses
In this podcast episode of Build Your Dream Network by J. Kelly Hoey, she expands on the network gap and how we can plan on a more inclusive networking future by making participation and community more accessible. Listen here >
How To Create A Cohort Based Course That Students Love
Thinkific breaks down the ingredients to successful cohort-based courses, and explains the many tools, challenges, and benefits to both students and instructors. Read more >
Five Ways To Engage Learners Throughout A Large Cohort Program
Marisa Plowman's six design principles written for the Harvard Business Publishing blog are a detailed insight into effective student engagement in cohort course content. Read more >
How To Implement Cohort-Based Learning
Create a structure or framework
Cohort-based projects, summits, or programs need a structure. To frame the course content, consider deciding the program's specific principles or pillars and using that as a foundation to guide the overall course design.
Identify group needs
The communication methods in which students interact, present their findings, and provide feedback to one another set them up for success. Ensure the proper systems are in place for students to create their group learning community and feel connected through the cohort journey.
Execute with empathy
Collaboration is key – not just amongst cohort members, but also the relationship between the leaders and the students. Meeting students where they are is critical to create a safe learning space for the group.