Quick Highlights:
- Cohort-based learning provides an automatic support system and improved networking opportunities.
- It creates a strong sense of community among students.
- This model reduces stress related to course selection and ensures all necessary credits are earned for graduation.
- The fixed pace and limited course options can be restrictive, particularly for students with specific interests or those needing to balance other responsibilities like jobs or family.
- Success in cohort-based learning heavily depends on group dynamics. Difficulties in getting along with cohort members can lead to a stressful educational experience.
There are a variety of learning models used in colleges and universities across the country. These models are one factor that you should keep in mind when applying to schools and deciding where you will attend. Cohort-based learning is a system that has been around for a while and offers some notable advantages to consider.
The pros and cons of cohort programs are going to be highlighted below for your review. Think about how these points will impact your learning experience and decide whether or not this type of program is a good fit.
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What is Cohort-based Learning?
The foundation of a college cohort system is establishing groups of students who will move through a curriculum together. The group will enter the program at the same time and move along at the same pace. We’ll get into the potential benefits of cohort learning below, but there are a few major reasons why some colleges adopt this plan.
Of course, if the cohort model is going to work, there needs to be a structured pathway established for all students to follow. The students can’t really have the freedom to make their own path, as that would break apart the group immediately. This sets a sequence for the courses that will be followed from start to finish until the group reaches graduation.
There are drawbacks of cohort learning, so it’s necessary to weigh the good with the bad. The next section will touch on the benefits and we’ll then move on to cover the shortcomings.
The Benefits of Cohort-based Education
Of all the various college program formats available, cohort-based learning is among the most popular. Why is that? It’s owed to some of the educational cohort benefits listed below.
An Automatic Support System
Building a support system is a challenge for any student entering a new program. It’s helpful to have people around you for support, but finding those people might not be easy. With the cohort model in higher education, that work is done for you. The cohort you are assigned becomes a natural support system that you can utilize for both academic and emotional support. For some students, especially those who are more introverted, having a built-in support group is a huge relief.
Improved Networking
One of the benefits of group learning in college is creating a network that can serve you well even long after your studying days are over. It will be much easier to build such a network in a cohort environment, and you might wind up with career opportunities later as a result. Even if few of these relationships carry over, the collaborative skills you developed will linger on.
Structured Learning Environment
Some students will find peace of mind in the lack of flexibility in cohort programs. It can be stressful to have to make independent choices about what courses to take. By following a relatively rigid program from start to finish, those choices are limited or eliminated. You can be sure that you’ll reach the end of your program with all of the necessary classes and credits to graduate. Also, you’ll know that your path was properly designed and is going to prepare you for a great career.
Cohort-based Learning Concerns
Before you rush into signing up for a cohort learning program, make sure to understand that there are some issues with this approach to education. Again, we’ll list three points that need to be weighed.
Lack of Flexibility
We talked above about how this can be a good thing, but it can be a bad thing, as well. If you are someone who has particular interests and you want to carve your own path in school, a cohort model might feel restrictive or limiting. Also, you won’t be able to dial in the pace of the program, and it might be hard to keep up if you also have kids or a job to consider. The learning pace in cohort systems is fixed and it will be up to you to keep up.
Fewer Course Options
Along the same lines, you aren’t going to be able to pick from very many different courses in your program. While you’ll still get a good education, that education might not be as rich or diverse as you would have hoped. These programs are great for producing quality professionals in different fields but maybe not as good for creating well-rounded people.
Dealing with Group Dynamics
Some people simply prefer to work alone. For better or worse, you are going to be linked to your cohort throughout school. If you struggle to get along with those people, the whole experience could be frustrating and stressful. You don’t get to pick your cohort so you can’t know that they’ll be a good match for your personality, interests, and needs.
Finding the Right Fit
Ultimately, picking the right educational path is a personal decision. Yes, cohort learning has a lot to offer, but it can bring up some difficulties that you might not want to face. If you aren’t sure which model is right for you, get advice from people who are more experienced. That could be people in your life who have been through this already, or it could be advisors at schools that you are considering.
Also, don’t lose sight of the many other factors that go into picking a school while you are thinking about the cohort issue. Things like the cost of tuition, the timeframe of the program, the type of degree you’ll receive, and more should all come into play.
Is Cohort-based Learning a Match for Your Needs?
The power of community in college education is powerful. When comparing cohort vs. traditional learning, it’s easy to see why so many programs have adopted the cohort model. With that said, nothing is perfect, and the drawbacks that we mentioned above should be given consideration, as well.
In the end, regardless of the learning model used, you’ll need to be consistent in your studies, engage in the material, and work hard throughout any program. With that approach, academic success is likely to follow, as is a thriving career in the field of your choice.