The Collaborative Classroom M.B. Tinzmann, B.F. Jones, T.F. Fennimore, J. New Learning and Thinking Curricula Require Collaboration In Guidebook 1, we explored a "new" vision of learning and suggested four characteristics of successful learners: They are knowledgeable, self-determined strategic, and empathetic thinkers. Effective communication and collaboration are essential to becoming a successful learner. This focus on the collective knowledge and thinking of the group changes the roles of students and teachers and the way they interact in the classroom. The purpose of this GuideBook is to elaborate what classroom collaboration means so that this grass-roots movement can continue to grow and flourish. Characteristics of a Collaborative Classroom Collaborative classrooms seem to have four general characteristics. 1. In traditional classrooms, the dominant metaphor for teaching is the teacher as information giver; knowledge flows only one way from teacher to student. 2. 3. 4. Challenges and Conflicts 1. 2. 3. 4.
The Jigsaw Classroom Teamwork Self-Assessment Rubric | Strategy Resource | BetterLesson This strategy is implemented prior to our BL chat, as an on demand writing/quick write. Students are given a prompt on reflecting on their recent blended sessions, for example, A success I am having is_____, and a concern I am having is_____, prior to viewing our data. Once students are ready to share they pair up randomly in groups of 2-3 and debrief their concerns and solutions, or answer the prompt that day. I note what their concerns are, then we strategize how we can address them as a class, who are the students we can reach out to for help. How to use real problems to spark real engagement What better way to link the classroom to real life than by giving students problems that actually need fixing? With problem-based learning, students start with a question worth probing and end with a solution that can often provide tangible results. By putting students in the “driver’s seat” of their own learning, education becomes “more relevant and purposeful,” says problem-based learning author and advocate Suzie Boss in her book, Real-World Projects: How do I design relevant and engaging learning experiences? Here are three tips to help your students get the most from their problem-based learning experience: 1. Students are more likely to care about issues that matter to their own lives, especially if they can visualize how the results can improve their schools or communities. In an Education World blog article, Aimee Hosier offers a few questions to get the brainstorming process started: How can we limit food waste in the school cafeteria? 2. 3.
ESL Jigsaws | What Is A Jigsaw? The jigsaw method could be described as "info gap squared." As the father of jigsaws, Professor Eliot Aron says, it promotes positive interdependence and also provides a simple method to ensure individual accountability. From the language learner perspective, it creates a genuine communication situation. Watch this video to get a 3 minute explanation of the method: Watch this 9 minute video to learn how to use the jigsaw most successfully and how to make your own jigsaws: In the jigsaw form of instruction, the target material is divided, usually into four parts, and distributed to small groups to learn. When these homogeneous groups have mastered their material, students regroup into heterogeneous groups to present material and complete a task. Peer teaching and group problem solving are used to complete the jigsaw. Initially, your classroom would look like this: Once students have mastered their material, your classroom would look like this:
26 Sentence Stems For Higher-Level Discussion In The Classroom 26 Sentence Stems For Higher-Level Conversation In The Classroom by Terry Heick Meaningful conversation can make learning more personal, immediate, and emotional. During meaningful conversations, students are forced to be accountable for their positions, to listen, to analyze opposing perspectives, and to adapt their thinking on the fly. There are many popular strategies for these kinds of conversations, each with slightly unique rules and applications. It is sometimes argued that the these kinds of conversations favor students that are confident expressing themselves verbally, and that’s hard to argue. And all can benefit from scaffolding, so that students are given different levels of support–maybe unique tiers of index cards with easier to use or more natural stems–so that they can be successful on some level. If you have any useful conversation stems, let us know in the comments so we can update the list! 26 Sentence Stems For Meaningful Conversation In The Classroom Clarifying Agreeing
Resources - IASCE - Cooperative Learning Manchester, England 2002 Conference Presentations and Papers. Conference theme: Cooperative Learning and Responsible Citizenship in the 21st Century Plenary presentations: Other Organizations IAIE: International Association for Intercultural Education Co-sponsors of the 2008 Torino, Italy Conference. IASCE had a CL strand at the IAIE conferences in Athens (2009), in Mexico (2012), and in Budapest (2016). The United Kingdom Co-operative College Co-sponsors of the 2002 Manchester Conference. Syntiro.org Provides personalised technical assistance and innovative professional learning opportunities designed to enhance organisational and individual capacity The Center for the Collaborative Classroom The Center for the Collaborative Classroom is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to providing continuous professional learning for teachers and curricula that support the academic, ethical, and social development of children Additional Cooperative Learning Links and Organizations
5 useful ways to kick-start student collaboration in the classroom My five-year-old son has become obsessed with Bill Nye (you know, the science guy). We borrow the well-worn DVDs from the library and watch them over and over again. On his Twitter page, Bill Nye states, “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” It’s true – and part of the reason that I think student collaboration is so important. Enabling students to work together and learn from each other recognizes that teachers don’t have all the answers – because no individual does. But delivering on the promise of student collaboration in the classroom isn’t easy. 1. It’s easy to assume that students intuitively know what it means to work together. One of my former colleagues had a brilliant strategy to establish group work expectations. 2. We hear a lot these days about the isolating effects of today’s technology – stories of kids in school hallways texting back and forth on their phones instead of actually talking. 3. 4. 5.
Daily Teaching Tools for Enhancing Your Effectiveness with Kids 4 Methods to Enhance Student Collaboration in the Classroom Teachers are continually looking for ways to enhance student collaboration in the classroom. Student collaboration can add much-needed variety to the standard, traditional lecture style of teaching. Classroom collaboration also encourages communication and cooperation among students and in effect allows them to teach one another. Another significant benefit of collaborative learning is the positive bonding experience that occurs among the members of each group when everyone is contributing to a common goal. Group demographics Consider the size and makeup of each group as you assign members and create roles. In some cases, and for some assignments, it might make sense for students with similar abilities to be grouped together. One of the goals of collaborative learning is to highlight the fact that all students have something to contribute, and finding the most beneficial role for them benefits the group as a whole. Introducing new curriculum Hands-on projects Collaborative learning
NSTA News Even though much has been written about cooperative learning in recent years, busy high school teachers contending with heavy curricular and teaching demands might not know much about the instructional method. Equipped with only a partial understanding of cooperative learning, some teachers may view it as a series of forced artificial constructs while others may view it as simply separating students into groups for an activity. Cooperative learning definition Cooperative learning is an instructional method in which students work in small groups to accomplish a common learning goal under the guidance of a teacher. The method is characterized by the following features, which are distinct from other forms of group work: Learners positively depend on each other in a team to achieve a mutual learning goal. Cooperative learning research In addition, research shows that humans learn best when they collaborate with others and actively process personally meaningful information. References
6 Questions Students Can Use To Guide Their Inquiry-Based Learning - 6 Questions Students Can Use To Guide Their Inquiry-Based Learning by Ashley McCann Learning through inquiry is one of the most ‘natural’ and organic forms of learning. In addition to learning through play, mentorship, and self-directed learning, inquiry-based learning happens whether we plan for it or not. When anyone is curious or confused and then uses that curiosity or confusion to drive their own learning, they’re ‘doing’ inquiry-based learning. Inquiry-based learning provides a framework for students to use one or more questions–often changing in evolving as knowledge levels change–to learn. The above graphic by Sylvia Duckworth illustrates questions that can help inspire inquiry-based learning ideas that act as a catalyst for curiosity in a way that makes an educational impact as students explore their problem-solving skills. Add a personalized element when choosing inquiry-based learning projects with questions like: What will I learn? What will I create? What will I solve? Interaction
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