Collaboration
Overview
Collaborative learning is an educational method in which students work together in groups to solve a problem, complete a task, or create a product. It includes cooperative learning, which is collaborative learning done in small groups of 4-5 students. Each student must contribute an equal amount of effort and fulfill each of their responsibilities as they are accountable for their own work, as well as work done by the group as a whole. Collaborative learning can be applied in many practical ways in the classroom and build important skills in students like critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and initiative.
Collaborative learning is an educational method in which students work together in groups to solve a problem, complete a task, or create a product. It includes cooperative learning, which is collaborative learning done in small groups of 4-5 students. Each student must contribute an equal amount of effort and fulfill each of their responsibilities as they are accountable for their own work, as well as work done by the group as a whole. Collaborative learning can be applied in many practical ways in the classroom and build important skills in students like critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and initiative.
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Key Concepts
Differs From Traditional Teaching Approaches
Students Work Together
Differs From Traditional Teaching Approaches
- Students work together rather than compete with each other individually
Students Work Together
- Cooperative learning takes place when students work together in the same place on a structured project in a small group, for example, when students help each other with homework.
- Students learn to actively take ownership of their own learning, resolve group conflicts, and improve teamwork skills.
Practical Suggestions for Educators
Roles
Roles
- Assigning roles for a task where each student must fulfill each of their roles in order to make their whole group progress and they develop interpersonal skills.
- Make groups of around 4-5 people in your classroom to encourage ideal collaborative learning
- Use strategies like think-pair-share, jigsaw, and fishbowl debate to facilitate discussions and helps students work on analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. Include opportunities for peer-to-peer: discussions, seminars and presentations in lessons.
Resources
Banerjee, R. (2012). The Origins of Collaborative Learning. Retrieved from: https://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/69716-origins-and-brief-history-of-collaborative-learning-theories/
Clifford, M. (2012). Facilitating Collaborative Learning: 20 Things You Need to Know From the Pros. Retrieved from: https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/facilitating-collaborative-learning-20-things-you-need-to-know-from-the-pros/
Educational Broadcasting Corporation. (2004). What are cooperative and collaborative learning? Retrieved from: https://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/coopcollab/
Romano, L., Papa, L., & Saulle, E. (2012). 6 Awesome Cooperative Classroom Games. Retrieved from: http://www.teachhub.com/6-awesome-cooperative-classroom-games
Smith, B., MacGregor, J. (1992). What is Collaborative Learning?. Wash Cent News, 7.
Classroom Ideas: 20 Collaborative Learning Tips And Strategies For Teachers
Banerjee, R. (2012). The Origins of Collaborative Learning. Retrieved from: https://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/69716-origins-and-brief-history-of-collaborative-learning-theories/
Clifford, M. (2012). Facilitating Collaborative Learning: 20 Things You Need to Know From the Pros. Retrieved from: https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/facilitating-collaborative-learning-20-things-you-need-to-know-from-the-pros/
Educational Broadcasting Corporation. (2004). What are cooperative and collaborative learning? Retrieved from: https://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/coopcollab/
Romano, L., Papa, L., & Saulle, E. (2012). 6 Awesome Cooperative Classroom Games. Retrieved from: http://www.teachhub.com/6-awesome-cooperative-classroom-games
Smith, B., MacGregor, J. (1992). What is Collaborative Learning?. Wash Cent News, 7.
Classroom Ideas: 20 Collaborative Learning Tips And Strategies For Teachers