Affiliation
A Powerful Motivating Force
Summary
Affiliation is intentionally designed collaboration with well-defined tasks in which each student’s work has value and contributes to the final product. Students are invested in the success of their peers because they are dependent upon them. Just as a virtual choir is interdependent on each other to become a work of art, students are also interdependent on each other to create their own masterpiece.
Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir - 'Lux Aurumque'
Misconceptions
- Group work is simply several people working together on a project.
- Grouping methods do not matter.
- If each student is not doing their part, the entire group will suffer.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
- Group work is interdependent work that requires both collaboration and cooperation. In other words, this is a task that cannot be completed solely by one person even without time constraints.
- Grouping methods are essential to the success of the group. Grouping must take into account the student's strengths and his/her ability to develop new strengths. Each student must be assigned a particular role that encourages he/she to become invested in the success of his/her peers because he/she is dependent upon them.
Quotes
“I can't do what I'm doing without you.” – Phil Schlechty
“Design school work that takes into account the product and presence of others and the contributions of others.” – Phil Schlechty
Tools
Edmodo
Provides a safe and easy way for your class to connect and collaborate, share content, and access homework, grades and school notices. www.edmodo.com
Today's Meet
Helps you embrace the back-channel and connect with your audience in real-time. https://todaysmeet.com/
Skype
A way for teachers and students to share their classroom, meet and collaborate with other classes from all over the world. www.skype.com
Schoology
An innovative learning management system (LMS) and social network that makes it easy to create and share academic content. www.schoology.com
Google Docs
Nearpod
A collaborative presentation tool that allows teachers to engage and assess their students using mobile devices. www.nearpod.com