A Guide to Collaborative Learning

Why?

  • Proven 5+ months progress
  • Development of higher-level thinking, oral communication, self-management, and leadership skills.
  • Promotion of student-faculty interaction.
  • Increase in student retention, self-esteem, and responsibility.
  • Exposure to and an increase in understanding of diverse perspectives.
  • Preparation for real life social and employment situations.

How?

  • Use Collaborative Learning judiciously. Use them only when they are beneficial to the lesson and choose ones that will enhance the learning.
  • Establish ground rules  for participation and contributions
  • Plan collaborative learning carefully, ensuring that all students are accountable in the group.
  • Be present and active around the room to monitor discussion and prompt further thinking/keep learning on track.
  • Incorporate  self -assessment and  peer  assessment for group members to evaluate their own and others’ contributions.

There are many routines. The 6 detailed below can be the core routines that you use. If you review these regularly you will soon learn when using them is enhancing the learning.