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.