Model Good Collaboration
f you want students to collaborate it is imperative that educators establish this as a norm at the beginning of the school year. Great teachers leverage group work and collaborative activities and projects in their curriculum and instruction, but oftentimes teachers “push-back†with the difficulties of having their students collaborate. I agree, it is a daunting task, but I always respond, “How have you taught them to collaborate and providing scaffolding of that skill?†This is the key! If you want your students to collaborate effectively, you must give the opportunity to do so, as well as give the necessary instruction in skills and scaffolding.
Austin,
I provide them with roles to fill amongst themselves so each person has a duty. It is helpful. Thanks.
I provide guideline for working in small groups to help the students identify roles, work together and perform optimally as group.
Beth,
Group work can be a challenge, but I assign each member a duty (i.e., leader, facilitator, etc.) This seems to help as they move forward in their work. Thanks!
In the online environment, many students do not like working in groups as the difficulty in schedules, time zones, and the difficulty of coordinating other person to work in a fashion that meets their own needs can be challenging. While the group idea is necessary ion the online environment, group project work still needs further evolution to be more representative of true collaboration.
Michael,
We have to help our students work in groups as they will have to work in teams in the "real world." Rarely do we work alone. Thanks for your good points!
