They say "two heads are better than one." This is true in work, in our personal lives, and in education. Collaboration is all about sharing knowledge and working together. "It considers what a student can do if aided by peers and adults. By considering this model for learning, we might consider collaboration to increase students’ awareness of other concepts.
Collaborative learning happens pretty often, even in the most traditional classrooms. Activities like group projects or discussions and study groups encourage students to work and learn together. But being intentional about collaboration can vastly improve learning outcomes for our students.
Setting ground rules for groups, assigning roles and suggesting group workflows can help students see into the mechanics of collaboration, rather than just experiencing what it means to collaborate. You could also introduce technologies that foster collaboration, like kanban boards, shareable documents, and group calendars.
Collaboration skills are important for students as they transition from schooling into the workforce. Even in the most solitary jobs, we have to communicate with others to make decisions and get things done. Writers, computer programmers and truck drivers might spend most of their days alone, but they still need to communicate with management or clients. Setting an example early on will help your students be more open and productive in their careers.
Check out TeachThought's 20 Collaborative Learning Tips & Strategies For Teachers, and let us know how you incorporate collaboration into the classroom by tweeting us @AlludoPlay.
Want to challenge yourself to a collaboration-based activity in Alludo?
Alisal Union School District has a great "4Cs of Modern Learning" mission in their Rough Rider PD game for teachers. The collaboration lesson activity requires educators to "teach a lesson in which students must collaborate within the class, with another class, or someone across the earth."
Tulare Joint Union High School District's "Be A TJUSD Hero" game includes an activity that encourages teachers to "Learn a Kagan Structure Technique". These collaborative activities include:
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