Collaborative Learning: Does it support literacy within the classroom?

Collaborative learning is effective and supportive towards learning literacy skills. In previous fieldwork experiences, I have noticed that students enjoy working with others in small groups on the same activity. In particular, I used to observe and help small reading groups during the afternoon literacy block. I observed that the students enjoyed working with each other because they were able to share and compare their opinions, as well as help each other complete certain tasks. If a student was struggling with pronouncing a word, then another student would help by sounding out the word. Also, several times I observed students who had different interpretations of the readings. For example, from my fieldwork that I completed last semester, the students were reading 'The Three Little Pigs'. One student stated that she thought the first pig had died, and another student corrected her, and together they both looked back in the text. The other student explained to his group member that the first pig simply ran to another pig's house. The student was then able to understand the correct concept on the story. 
Furthermore, collaborative learning supports literacy because each student is motivated to complete their work. In other words, collaborative learning encourages socializing with other students, and provides the students with a sense of responsibility. I have found in previous fieldwork that students enjoy completing their work when every person is assigned a role, and they have the opportunity to work together. It develops a sense of leadership and responsibility. Also, some students are stronger in some aspects of literacy than others. Most times, student to student communication can clarify any confusion about literacy, such as the way a story was comprehended. Collaborative learning encourages the students to work together to complete activities.
Overall, I think collaborative learning is effective, and does indeed support literacy skills. There are several aspects of literacy that a teacher needs to focus on within the the literacy block. Having students work with others is an easier and more effective approach to learn this subject matter. As a future teacher, I certainly plan on including collaborative learning in several content areas, and especially include it in literacy. 

(Unfortunately, I couldn't incorporate text from the article, sense we weren't able to cover this information during class due to the snow storm.)