Collab Skills
Activity 1: Exploring Collaborative Norms (using Four Corners and 10 to 3 strategies)
Read the linked article which introduces and explains seven collaborative norms. (An eighth norm, providing data, has recently been added to the original list. )
These norms provide a common vocabulary that team members can use to effectively work together.
Our students must become familiar with these norms, so as you are reading the article consider how you will share this information with your students.
Here’s one suggestion: Use a “Four Corners” technique to separate the subgroups (who would then move to the corners of the room in a typical classroom.) The groups will discuss the eight norms, decide which norm best ‘speaks to them’ and which norms may be the most difficult to internalize and acquire.
Each group will then choose their top 3 norms and decide which 5 to vote “off the island.” This is sometimes referred as a “10 to 3″ instructional strategy in which ten items are reduced to three by group consensus. This strategy works with any number of items on a list and produces lively dialogue, debate, and teamwork.
Download this PowerPoint that further details the Eight Collaborative Norms.
Changing Classroom Practice! Take the norms back to class with you! View the Eight Norms visual guide and then right-click {PC} or ctrl+click {Mac} and Save the Image. Print copies of the norms to use as Visual Instructional Plans in your classroom (VIP concept taken from Fred Jones’ book, Tools For Teaching).
Activity 2: Exploring Background Information on Cooperative and Collaborative Learning (using a jigsaw strategy)
Each group will access the Concept to Classroom web site and read assigned portions on collaborative and cooperative learning. As teachers we should be thinking how can we best use this information to prepare students for their future.
Jigsawing this website: After reading their assigned section, each subgroup will briefly explain what their section was about by focusing on key understandings and/or answers to essential questions. This activity promotes synergy and the power of working in teams to lessen the task and increase understanding.
Activity 3A: Benefits of Collaborative Learning (using individual ideas and research)
1. Background Info: Using coded index cards as a grouping strategy, a large group can be divided into groups of four participants each. These small groups will stay the same during the remaining activities.
2. On the color side of the index card, each participant lists one educational advantage of working collaboratively. On the numbered side participants list one barrier or challenge they have encountered with group work.
The table below contains articles that discuss the advantages of collaborative learning. as well as challenges or barriers teacher encounter when trying to implement collaborative teams. Each member of the group will share their benefit and will then look at the articles that relate to the advantages. Then each person will report their findings back to the group.
Benefits to Collaborative Learning:
1) Benefits of Cooperative Learning In Relation to Student Motivation
2) Cooperative Learning: What Makes It Work (look at 5 elements of CL)
3) Cooperative Learning Is Active Learning (4 roles info, page 2 also chart)
4) An Overview of Cooperative Learning (older article)
5) Collaborative Learning Enhances Critical Thinking (older article)
6) The Case for Student Centered Instruction Via Collaborative Learning Paradigms
7) Additional information can be found here.
Activity 3B: Barriers to Collaborative Learning (using individual ideas and research)
In this activity, participants will list some barriers to successfully implementing collaborative learning in the classroom. The table below contains articles that discuss the challenges or barriers teacher encounter when trying to implement collaborative teams. After listing the barriers, participants will select an article from the list below to discover solutions or suggestions for overcoming a barrier. Then each person will report their findings back to the group.
Thinking of using the “Pass A Problem” > instructional strategy
Barriers to Collaboration:
1) Commonly Asked Questions
2) Effective Strategies for Cooperative Learning
3) Sabotaging Cooperative Learning
4) Tools for Teaching: Collaborative Learning
5) Why Teachers Do Not Use Collaborative Learning
6) Grading In Collaborative Classrooms
7) Additional information can be found here
Activity 4: Ensuring Successful Collaboration in the Classroom
“OK, this is all good in theory but how do I manage these groups? How do I grade these teams and how do I help a group that is struggling?” Teachers encounter many logistical issues and much student resistance to working in groups.
Groups will research possible solutions to the barriers/challenges listed on the number side of the index card at the beginning of this session. This web site, Building Blocks for TEAMS, is a treasure trove of information about helping students collaborate and cooperate in order to enrich the learning experience. The site contains important information about how to structure groups to ensure success for the students, the groups and the teacher. There are valuable links on the lefthand sidebar and well as the table at the top of the page.
As participants explore Building Blocks for TEAMS to locate and evaluate possible solutions to their barrier/challenge, they will record WHERE they found the needed information.
Remember, we collaborate not only to reduce the workload, but to save time, a precious commodity!
