Collaborative learning involves students working together in teams to actively exchange, debate, and negotiate ideas. It requires students to engage in a common task where each individual depends on and is accountable to others. According to the text, collaborative learning is based on the idea that learning is naturally a social act, and occurs through discussion among participants. Some key characteristics are that it incorporates group work, sets group goals and individual accountability, and has students take more control over their learning compared to traditional teacher-centered methods.