Collaborative Collaborative Learning Learning

TechniquesTechniquesCoLTsCoLTs

What is Collaborative What is Collaborative Learning?Learning?

To To collaboratecollaborate is to work with is to work with others, usually in pairs or small others, usually in pairs or small groups, to achieve shared learning groups, to achieve shared learning goals.goals.

It assumes It assumes intentional design.intentional design. It assumes It assumes co-laboring.co-laboring. ItIt assumes thatassumes that meaningful learning meaningful learning

occurs.occurs.

KnowledgeKnowledge

Collaborative learning assumes that Collaborative learning assumes that truth is “not out there” waiting to be truth is “not out there” waiting to be found.found.

Collaborative learning assumes that Collaborative learning assumes that knowledge is “socially produced by knowledge is “socially produced by consensus among knowledgeable consensus among knowledgeable peers.”peers.”

College EnvironmentsCollege Environments

Research suggests that “students who get the Research suggests that “students who get the most out of college, who grow the most most out of college, who grow the most academically, and who are happiest, academically, and who are happiest, organize organize their time to include interpersonal activities their time to include interpersonal activities with faculty members, or with fellow students with faculty members, or with fellow students built around substantive, academic work” (pg. built around substantive, academic work” (pg. 6).6).

Light, R.J. (1992). Light, R.J. (1992). The Harvard Assessment The Harvard Assessment Seminars, 2Seminars, 2ndnd report. report. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Cambridge, MA: Harvard University, Graduate School of Education and University, Graduate School of Education and Kennedy School of Government.Kennedy School of Government.

Student RolesStudent Roles Become active problem solvers, contributors, Become active problem solvers, contributors,

discussantsdiscussants Have high expectations of preparation for Have high expectations of preparation for

classclass Develop a public presence with many risksDevelop a public presence with many risks Understand that attendance dictated by Understand that attendance dictated by

community expectationscommunity expectations Value collaborative work with peersValue collaborative work with peers Accept responsibilities and self-definition Accept responsibilities and self-definition

associated with learning interdependentlyassociated with learning interdependently See peers, self, and community as additional See peers, self, and community as additional

and important sources of authority and and important sources of authority and knowledgeknowledge

Syllabus ReviewSyllabus Review Course information is a great way to set Course information is a great way to set

the tone from day one that this is a the tone from day one that this is a collaborative learning environment.collaborative learning environment.

Form groups and ask students to generate Form groups and ask students to generate a list of questions about the syllabus.a list of questions about the syllabus.

Ask them to create a quiz on important Ask them to create a quiz on important questions on the syllabus.questions on the syllabus.

Collect questions and give a short quiz on Collect questions and give a short quiz on the courses policies and expectations the courses policies and expectations based on the questions submitted by the based on the questions submitted by the students.students.

Establishing Group Work Establishing Group Work Ground RulesGround Rules

Try a Group Learning ContractTry a Group Learning Contract Group size – usually 2-4 students is best Group size – usually 2-4 students is best

BUT size of group depends on duration BUT size of group depends on duration and complexity of the taskand complexity of the task

Selecting group members: random, Selecting group members: random, student selection, instructor determinedstudent selection, instructor determined

Heterogeneous vs homogeneous groupsHeterogeneous vs homogeneous groups Forming groups in large lecture hall Forming groups in large lecture hall

Six Common Group RolesSix Common Group Roles

FacilitatorFacilitator RecorderRecorder ReporterReporter TimekeeperTimekeeper Folder MonitorFolder Monitor WildcardWildcard

SourceSource

Barkley, Elizabeth, K. Patricia Cross, Barkley, Elizabeth, K. Patricia Cross, and Claire Howell Major. and Claire Howell Major. Collaborative Learning Techniques: Collaborative Learning Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty. A Handbook for College Faculty. San San Francisco: CA: Jossey-Bass, 2005.Francisco: CA: Jossey-Bass, 2005.