Written by
Riddhima Parkar
15 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Discover how this approach drives up to 96% course completion rates and creates a community-driven experience for learners
  • Overcome common issues like flexible sessions and personalized feedback with advanced tools that enhance collaboration and progress tracking
  • Understand the key differences in structure, support, and motivation between cohort-based and self-paced courses to make an informed decision

Cohort Based Learning: Meaning, Benefits, Best Practices, Examples

Are you looking to boost student engagement and make learning more impactful? Cohort-based learning could be the game-changer you need. By blending the strengths of classroom and online education, this approach turns passive learners into active participants, creating a community-driven experience where students learn, interact, and grow together.

Cohort-based courses have been proven to significantly increase course completion rates, with some programs reporting up to a 96% success rate—far higher than traditional online courses. This sense of community keeps students motivated and accountable, leading to better knowledge retention and overall satisfaction. 94% of students in cohort-based settings report feeling more engaged and interested in their courses, a testament to the power of learning alongside peers(Learnopoly).

Source- https://learnopoly.com/cohort-based-learning-statistics/

Cohort-based learning fosters a strong student support network, encouraging collaboration and enhancing critical thinking. Students benefit from real-time feedback and the shared experience of tackling challenges together, improving their understanding and preparing them for real-world applications of their knowledge.

In this blog, we'll explore how cohort-based learning can transform the educational experience, making it more engaging, interactive, and effective for everyone involved.

What is Cohort-Based Learning?

Cohort-based learning is a structured educational model where learners enroll together and progress through a course as a unit. This approach emphasizes interaction, collaboration, and peer support, fostering a strong sense of community. Students start their education in a particular area simultaneously, allowing them to share experiences, build relationships, and develop skills collectively. The goal is to blend learning objectives, teaching methods, and performance assessments to enhance professional growth through shared challenges and collaborative problem-solving.

What is a Cohort-Based Learning Approach?

In this  learning approach, a group of students progresses through a course or program together, sharing experiences and supporting each other.

  • Course Design:
    • Students are grouped into cohorts based on their course enrollment time.
    • The cohort structure enables instructors to manage smaller, more interactive group discussions.
    • Instructors can easily track and assess the progress of each cohort simultaneously.
  • Objectives:
    • Community Building: Encourages students to form a close-knit community, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual support.
    • Accountability: Students feel responsible for keeping pace with their peers, which can motivate consistent engagement and effort.
    • Peer Learning: Promotes learning from each other’s insights, questions, and experiences, enriching the educational experience.
  • Benefits:
    • Enhanced Engagement: The group dynamic naturally increases student interaction, making learning more engaging.
    • Collaborative Learning: Students collaborate on projects, discussions, and problem-solving, leading to deeper understanding.
    • Personalized Attention: Instructors can focus on the specific needs of each cohort, tailoring their teaching methods to the group’s learning style and pace.
    • Supportive Environment: The cohort model creates a supportive network where students can share challenges and successes, boosting morale and motivation.
  • Implementation:
    • Flexible Application: Cohort-based learning can be applied to various subjects and instructional strategies, making it adaptable to different educational contexts.
    • Structured Progression: Students within a cohort move through the course material simultaneously, facilitating structured learning and consistent progress.
    • Group Dynamics: The size and composition of cohorts can be adjusted based on the course requirements, with options for synchronous (real-time) or asynchronous (self-paced) interaction.
  • Learning Pace:
    • Differentiated Instruction: Each cohort may advance at its own pace, allowing for differentiated instruction where students receive the level of challenge or support they need.
    • Immediate Feedback: Students can receive timely feedback from peers and instructors, helping them address difficulties quickly and improve continuously.
    • Skill Reinforcement: The cohort structure provides opportunities for students to revisit and practice challenging concepts, ensuring mastery before moving on.
  • Outcomes:
    • Increased Student Satisfaction: Students often report higher satisfaction due to the collaborative and interactive nature of cohort-based learning.
    • Improved Retention and Completion Rates: The sense of accountability and community often leads to higher retention and completion rates.
    • Greater Motivation and Engagement: The social aspect of learning in cohorts keeps students motivated and engaged, making them more likely to succeed academically.

Benefits of a Cohort-Based Learning System

Cohort-based learning brings some incredible perks that can genuinely transform the way students experience their education:

  1. Boosted Engagement and Motivation: Imagine learning alongside peers, all working towards the same goals. It creates a sense of camaraderie that keeps everyone motivated. You’re not just studying alone; you’re part of a team, which can make all the difference in staying engaged.
  2. Learning from Each Other: One of the most incredible things about cohort-based learning is the chance to learn from your peers. When students share knowledge and help each other out, everyone benefits. It’s like having a study group always there to support you.
  3. A Clear Path Forward: Cohort-based courses offer a structured path with set timelines and deadlines. This structure helps keep students on track, making staying focused and achieving learning goals easier.
  4. Quick Feedback: Because everyone is moving through the course together, instructors can give feedback right when needed. This means you can correct mistakes and learn more effectively without waiting too long for guidance.
  5. Building Connections: Cohort-based learning often leads to strong connections with fellow students, creating a supportive learning community. These relationships foster emotional support and collaboration, enhancing the learning experience and providing peer motivation. Such a community can become a valuable professional network that helps you throughout your career.
  6. Accountability and Support: When you’re part of a cohort, you’re accountable to yourself and your group. This shared responsibility helps keep everyone committed and moving forward together.

Challenges in Cohort-Based Learning & How EdisonOS Solves Them

While cohort-based learning has its advantages, it also comes with some challenges. Luckily, EdisonOS is designed to make overcoming these challenges easier:

  1. Challenge: Flexible Sessions: EdisonOS offers flexible scheduling options for tutors to manage multiple cohorts efficiently and give students flexibility. Our cohort learning program combines synchronous and asynchronous learning methods, ensuring that if your students miss a session, our tool automatically fetches the Zoom recording, creates recorded lessons, and keeps them on track with valuable resources.
  2. Challenge: Different Learning Speeds: With EdisonOS, instructors check each student’s profile, understand their progress in detail, and create learning paths within a cohort. This means everyone gets the support they need, whether they’re speeding ahead or need more time to grasp the material.
  3. Challenge: Coordinating Group Projects: EdisonOS makes group work easy with built-in collaboration tools like the Discussion channel, which helps create communication and gives peers a peer-to-peer learning experience. You can track all the projects or task submissions to keep them engaged with deadlines.
  4. Challenge: Providing Personalized Feedback: EdisonOS allows instructors to monitor each student’s progress in real time and provide personalized feedback when needed. This ensures everyone gets the guidance they need to succeed.

There is much more to explore.

Looking to create cohort-based courses and programs without scalability issues  

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How to implement a Cohort-based Learning?

Cohort-based learning is an effective strategy for fostering collaboration and peer learning, especially in corporate and higher education settings. However, its implementation requires careful planning and consideration. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you successfully implement cohort-based learning in your organization.

1. Select a Cohort-Based Learning Platform Wisely

The platform you choose will significantly impact the effectiveness of your cohort-based learning program. Here's what to consider:

  • Ease of Implementation:
    • Content Creation: Determine whether the platform supports existing content formats or if you need to create new materials. Look for platforms that allow seamless integration of different content types, such as videos, articles, quizzes, and interactive modules.
    • User Experience: Evaluate how user-friendly the platform is for educators and learners. An intuitive interface can reduce the learning curve and encourage consistent use.
  • Customization Capabilities:
    • Custom Fields: Check if the platform allows you to add custom fields that align with your organization's specific needs, such as tracking progress on particular skills or competencies.
    • Branding Options: Consider platforms that offer customization options to reflect your organization's branding, enhancing the professional feel of your courses.
  • Communication Features:
    • Interactive Tools: Platforms with built-in live chat, discussion forums, or video conferencing can enhance real-time communication and collaboration among cohort members.
    • Parental Involvement: For educational settings involving minors, assess how well the platform facilitates communication between educators and parents, including features for sharing progress reports and updates.
  • Support and Reliability:
    • Technical Support: Ensure the platform provider offers robust customer support, quick response times and practical solutions to technical issues.
    • Scalability and Performance: The platform should be scalable to accommodate growing users without compromising performance, ensuring a smooth learning experience.

Platforms like EdisonOS, which offer a free 14-day trial, allow you to explore these features before committing.

2. Decide on the Curriculum

Your curriculum forms the foundation of your cohort-based learning program. Here's how to approach it:

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  • Align with Learning Objectives:
    • Targeted Content: Choose curriculum content that aligns with your organization’s learning goals and meets the needs of your cohort. Consider industry-specific content that is relevant and engaging for participants.
    • Flexibility: Select a curriculum that allows adjustments based on the cohort’s progress and feedback. This flexibility ensures the learning experience remains dynamic and responsive to learners' needs.
  • Diverse Content Delivery:
    • Learning Content: Incorporate a variety of content types, such as videos, interactive simulations, case studies, and reading materials, to cater to different learning styles and keep participants engaged.
    • Supplemental Resources: Provide additional resources, such as recommended readings or links to relevant articles, to deepen learners' understanding and encourage self-directed learning.
  • Continuous Improvement:
    • Feedback Loops: Implement regular feedback mechanisms to assess the curriculum's effectiveness and make necessary adjustments. These could include surveys, one-on-one meetings, or group discussions.

3. Identify Key Learning Outcomes and Goals

Clearly defined learning outcomes and goals guide the cohort's progress. Follow these steps:

  • Define Broad Outcomes:
    • Core Competencies: Identify the core competencies or skills you want participants to develop by the end of the program. These might include technical skills, critical thinking, teamwork, or leadership abilities.
    • Organizational Alignment: Ensure that these outcomes align with your organization's broader strategic goals, such as improving employee performance, increasing innovation, or enhancing customer satisfaction.
  • Break Down into Measurable Goals:
    • Specific Objectives: Break the broad outcomes into specific, measurable goals that participants can work toward incrementally. For example, if the outcome is mastering a new software tool, specific goals could include completing tutorials, applying the tool in real-world scenarios, and troubleshooting issues independently.
    • Milestones: Set intermediate milestones to track progress and keep participants motivated. These could be tied to assessments, project deadlines, or competency demonstrations.
  • Documentation and Communication:
    • Goal Tracking: Use tools like learning management systems (LMS) to document and track progress toward these goals, providing both participants and facilitators with clear visibility into achievements and areas needing improvement.
    • Transparent Communication: Regularly communicate goals and expectations to the cohort, ensuring that everyone understands what is required and how success will be measured.

4. Leverage Tools to Simplify the Process

Utilizing the right tools can streamline the management and execution of your cohort-based learning program. Consider the following:

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  • Course Management and Delivery:
    • EdisonOS: This platform allows you to create, manage, and deliver your course content, handle payments, and engage with participants—all from a single interface. It also supports landing pages and sales funnels to promote your courses effectively. LMS to automate administrative tasks, track participant progress, and facilitate communication.
  • Community Building:
    • Facebook Groups: Create private groups to foster community among cohort members. Use these groups for discussions, peer feedback, and sharing resources. This helps build relationships and encourages collaboration outside formal learning sessions.
    • Online Forums: Consider using dedicated online forums or discussion boards where participants can post questions, share insights, and engage in asynchronous discussions.
  • Scheduling and Organization:
    • EdisonOS - Manages all your tutor calendars and provides a robust scheduling system to help you plan out your live classes, tests and activities and provide a calendar for each student to keep them updated on the upcoming sessions and tasks.

5. Decide on the Duration of Your Cohort-Based Learning Program

The duration of your program plays a significant role in its success. Here’s how to determine the optimal length:

  • Assess Learning Objectives:
    • Complexity of Content: Consider the complexity of the material being covered. More complex subjects may require longer durations for thorough understanding and practice.
    • Pacing: Balance the need for depth with the cohort’s ability to absorb information without feeling overwhelmed. A well-paced program can maintain engagement and retention.
  • Pilot Programs:
    • Test Runs: Conduct pilot programs of varying lengths to gather data on participant engagement, knowledge retention, and overall satisfaction. Use this data to determine the ideal program duration for your target audience.
    • Feedback Incorporation: Regularly gather feedback from participants about the pacing and duration, making adjustments as necessary to improve the learning experience.
  • Build in Flexibility:
    • Modular Approach: Consider structuring your program into modules that can be adjusted in length based on participant needs. This allows for flexibility and responsiveness to the cohort’s progress.
    • Optional Extensions: Offer optional extension periods for participants who need more time to master the material or complete assignments.

6. Understand the Importance of Facilitation

Effective facilitation is crucial for keeping the cohort engaged and on track. Here’s how to ensure strong facilitation:

  • Role of the Facilitator:
    • Guidance and Support: The facilitator’s primary role is to guide the learning process, ensuring that participants remain focused on the learning objectives and receive the support they need to succeed. This may include providing additional resources, clarifying concepts, and offering personalized feedback.
    • Motivation and Engagement: The facilitator should actively work to keep participants motivated, using techniques like gamification, recognition of achievements, and regular check-ins to maintain high levels of engagement.
  • Creating a Supportive Environment:
    • Knowledge Sharing: Encourage a knowledge-sharing culture where participants feel comfortable asking questions, sharing their experiences, and learning from each other. This can be facilitated through group discussions, peer reviews, and collaborative projects.
    • Active Participation: To promote active participation, design activities that require input from all cohort members. These include group projects, case studies, and role-playing exercises encouraging collaboration and critical thinking.
  • Monitoring and Intervention:
    • Progress Tracking: Regularly monitor participants’ progress, identifying those struggling and offering additional support as needed. This can be done through assessments, quizzes, and one-on-one meetings.
    • Timely Interventions: Address issues promptly, whether related to course content, group dynamics, or individual performance. This proactive approach helps prevent minor problems from escalating into larger ones.

7. Decide on What to Measure and Then Measure It

Measurement is critical to evaluating the success of your cohort-based learning program. Follow these steps:

  • Identify Key Metrics:
    • Learning Outcomes: Measure the extent to which participants have achieved the defined learning outcomes. This can be assessed through tests, quizzes, assignments, and practical demonstrations.
    • Engagement Levels: Track participant engagement throughout the program using metrics like attendance, discussion participation, and completion rates. High engagement is often correlated with better learning outcomes.
  • Use Data Collection Tools:
    • Learning Management Systems: Utilize LMS tools to automatically collect and analyze data on participant performance, including grades, participation rates, and progress toward goals.
    • Surveys and Feedback Forms: Use surveys and feedback forms to collect qualitative data, asking participants to evaluate the program’s content, pacing, and facilitation.
  • Analyze and Act on Data:
    • Continuous Improvement: Use the data collected to make informed decisions about how to improve the program.

Cohort-Based Courses Examples

  1. Executive MBA Programs: These programs often use a cohort model where you move through the curriculum with your peers, creating a strong sense of community and collaboration among professionals. Unlike massive open online courses (MOOCs), which suffer from high dropout rates often exceeding 90%, cohort-based courses provide structured group learning and deadlines that significantly improve completion rates.
  2. Online Boot Camps (e.g., GrowthSchool): These boot camps use cohort-based learning to motivate students and ensure they complete the intensive training needed for new tech, design, or data science careers. The structured environment contrasts sharply with the flexibility of MOOCs, which can be detrimental to student motivation and course completion.
  3. Professional Development Courses on Scaler: Some Coursera courses are cohort-based, offering a structured schedule with peer interaction and instructor feedback, perfect for professionals looking to advance their skills. This approach is more effective than the typical MOOC format, often leading to high dropout rates due to its lack of structure.

Conclusion

Here's what you should know if you want to start implementing a cohort-based system in your organization. Consider all these best practices when developing your cohort-based learning system, and you will be well on your way to creating a sustainable, highly effective program. A cohort-based system is an excellent alternative to the traditional classroom style, but only if designed, organized and implemented correctly.

Start small and make the program part of your culture. Cohort-based training gives organizations the tools to create training programs that are more effective and efficient than traditional learning management systems. Implementing a cohort-based learning system is no small endeavour but will pay off in the long run. Seating-based learning is becoming increasingly common, which is excellent news for everyone. After all, the more we examine the system, the more ways there are to have it improve educational outcomes for students.

FAQs

1. How do you implement a cohort study?

Start by setting clear goals for what you want to achieve. Then, gather a group of participants who will go through the course or study together. Design the course with structured lessons, encourage interaction among the group, and keep track of their progress. Finally, analyze how they did and see what worked well.

2. What is a cohort-based approach?

It’s a way of learning where students move through a course together. They support each other, collaborate, and share the learning experience, which helps keep everyone engaged and motivated.

3. How to create a cohort-based course?

First, decide what you want your students to learn. Then, organize the content into a clear structure, set a timeline for everyone to follow, and create opportunities for interaction and collaboration. Monitor their progress and be ready to adjust as needed.

4. What is the primary step of cohort study?

The critical first step is selecting a group who will go through the course or study together, sharing the same learning journey.

5. What are the rules for a cohort study?

Make sure you have clear goals, choose participants who fit those goals, keep everyone engaged with regular check-ins, and ensure you’re gathering and using data ethically.

6. What is the structure of a cohort study?

A cohort study usually starts with an introduction to the goals, followed by structured lessons, regular group activities, and ongoing assessments, and ends with a summary of what everyone achieved.

7. What are cohort activities?

These include group discussions, collaborative projects, peer reviews, live sessions, and reflection exercises—all designed to help the group learn and grow together.

What is the difference between Cohort-Based Courses and Self-Paced Courses

Cohort-Based Courses

  • Structure: Follow a set timeline with your peers.
  • Interaction: Lots of interaction with your group and instructors.
  • Support: Strong peer support and quick feedback enhance the learning process through community and collaboration.
  • Motivation: Higher accountability because you’re learning with a group.
  • Examples: Online boot camps and executive education programs.

Self-Paced Courses

  • Structure: Move at your speed, with no set deadlines.
  • Interaction: Limited interaction with others.
  • Support: Less immediate support, so you need to be self-motivated.
  • Motivation: It’s all on you to stay on track.
  • Examples: Courses on platforms like Udemy or LinkedIn Learning.

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