Some Compelling Ideas:
To communicate is the essence of being human. Effective communication is an essential skill needed to thrive in the world. Beyond mastering subject area content, our students need to be able to express themselves in a variety of methods. They must also understand and come to value that effective communication is nearly always a two-way process. And yet without effective communication, true collaboration is impossible; the two go hand in hand.
As teachers, we can help students acquire these essential skills though we need to change how we do business. Change is not easy, yet it is far easier when it is greeted by choice. With the never ending onslaught of information, it is more important how students learn than what they learn.
We firmly believe that all students can achieve and excel at high levels if they understand what is expected of them. We know the classroom teacher is a powerful equalizer who can prepare students for an uncertain future by helping them gain skills that will serve them regardless of the paths they take.
My students already communicate and collaborate in groups, what’s new here?
In today’s classroom, teachers and students are communicating effectively when they are sharing, exchanging, and distributing information in a variety of ways. Students are collaborating effectively when they are working together to investigate and solve complex problems, reach common goals, and create innovative products using a variety of resources. </I Designing and successfully implementing these communicative and collaborative activities require different skills from teachers and students.
Activity 1: Generating Characteristics of Effective Communication and Collaboration
Effective communication and collaboration are complex topics that mean different things to different people. To gain insight and promote teamwork, we will brainstorm examples of effective communication and collaboration. We will record these ideas as they are suggested and see if we can make meaning of these essential skills.
Activity 2: Awareness of Today’s Instructional Strategies
During this module, we will be using and identifying several collaborative strategies. Click the link below to download this handout. Refer to them today and access them later when return to your classroom. (Our goal is not for you to try to adopt numerous new strategies that will be difficult to implement; focus on one or two new techniques that suit your teaching style and content area.)
Instructional Strategies
Activity 3: Self-Assessment of Classroom Processes (two parts)
- Personal Assessment of Classroom Opportunities for Communication and Collaboration:
Take a moment and reflect on how you communicate and collaborate with your students. On the graphic organizer provided, describe how you communicate with your students AND how your students communicate and collaborate with each other. Click the icon below to download an electronic version of the graphic organizer.
- How Collaborative is Your Classroom?
Visit this web site, complete the survey, and view your results. Use File > Print… to PDF to (name and) save your survey results . Reflect on the results. Are they accurate? Do you agree with your rating? Review all of the survey statements and list the three you think are the most important to practice in the classroom. Share your ideas with your “elbow partner” as you talk about the survey implications for you and your students.
Activity 4: Viewing “The Three Steps” Video
- A “Pre-movie” Active Engagement Exercise:
Having students watch a video can be either a powerful learning experience or opportunity for a good nap. There are specific techniques that can help viewers stay engaged and learn from a video and these have been described in detail by the National Teacher Training Institute (NTTI).
As you watch this video, be on the lookout for possible answers (or examples) to the following questions. Feel free to take notes as you see and hear answers and / or ideas you wish to discuss or explore further.
What are some new ways to communicate and collaborate?
Why are communication and collaboration so important in today’s world?
What are the three steps?
- Round Table Activity Reflection After the Video:
We will use a Round Table strategy to reflect on what we saw in the video. First, you will have two minutes to complete the table below. Then you will pass the information on to the person on your left and add one piece of new information in each column onto the form you just received. Then you pass the form again to left and add another piece of information. When everyone gets back their original form, the first part of this activity is over.
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What is positive about promoting communication and collaboration in the classroom?
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What are the negatives or challenges in promoting communication and collaboration in the classroom?
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What is interesting about promoting communication and collaboration in the classroom?
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1. Were you surprised by the number of items that ended up on your form after it went around the group?
2. Was it difficult to add new things when you exchanged papers for the third and fourth time?
3. Share with your table partners how you might you use this type of activity (“Round Table”) in your classroom.
In the next module, we will focus on effective collaboration.
