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.
