A Collaborative Classroom
Students work collaboratively to learn in large and small group settings.
Collaboration can be the key in leading students to higher level learning. Groups learn through discussion, clarification of ideas, and evaluation of other's ideas. Research suggests that this learning is stored in long-term memory. (Webb,) What do Hewlitt-Packard, McDonald's, Google, Microsoft, & Apple have in common? They are the products of collaboration!
6 Strategies for Nurturing Collaboration (Edutopia)
- Establish Group Agreements - Discuss norms and assign each group member a role. (examples of group norms are here)
- Teach Listening Skills - Active listening skills (making eye contact, listening to understand, refrain from interrupting) can be practiced and developed.
- Teach Questioning Skills - Open-ended questions that are neutral and invite others to share their thoughts get the best answers. Teach students about think time - to pause after someone speaks so everyone has time to think about what has been shared.
- Teach Negotiation - Listening, focusing on common ground, patience, and flexibility are skills needed to negotiate successfully.
- Model What You Expect - Demonstrate what you expect from your students - listen actively, question thoughtfully, provide think time, etc.
- Group Brain Power - if 2 heads are better than 1, then 3 or 4 should be super brain power!
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Check out these strategies for collaboration!
1-3-6 Protocol
This protocol moves students from working independently to working collaboratively. Students begin by working by themselves (1), then join with 2 other students to discuss learning (3). Finally, two groups of 3 will collaborate to discuss learning (6). Check out a video here.
Jennifer Butler
Instructional Partner
Florence High School
Email: jcbutler@florencek12.org
Twitter: @jcbutler22