Collaboration, Pedagogy, & Practices

Introduction

Communication, Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Collaboration are at the utmost importance in education. Being able to collaborate is probably one of the most vital components, because like they say "Two Heads are Better Than One". Online and Blended courses are the perfect breeding ground for individuals to come together and share ideas in unique ways that are many times generated through amazing technological experiences. Digital tools can be morphed into tools that enhance products that groups previously never could imagine before. Therefore, collaboration is key to the Online and Blended classroom.

Reflection

Original Blog Post

https://chyartblog.wordpress.com/2019/03/25/survival-tips-for-collaborative-learning/

In today’s day in age, the idea of collaboration is a constant push when it comes to the perspective of how the job force is… but in reality, collaboration isn’t always the necessary component to success.

Yes while working with others leads to divergent thinking and a plethora of ideas that wouldn’t necessarily come about if only one person was on the job… sometimes collaborating is hard!

How can we make collaborative experiences more meaningful, easy to navigate, and less conflictive in the classroom?

Think about it, your in your classroom and you have put together this really amazing group project for your students that is structured to be a collaborative experience, as you start to call of names in your groups you hear the grumbles and under the breath comments of either, “Yes! I get to work with my BFF,” or the sighs and groans of, “Ugh why do I have to be in their group!”

Or there’s the situation when you allow students to make their own groupings and by the end of the project either nothing has been accomplished or you have had to multiple counseling sessions with the group members to help repair a friendship or push the motivation of completing their work.

Collaboration can be daunting, for the facilitator and the members of the collaboration… therefore protocols, systems, and supports are necessary for the group work to be meaningful and productive.

Blended Learning encompasses Collaboration - iNACOL Source

Here is a survival guide for Collaborative Projects within a Blended Environment:

Give Choice - Each individual in the group assigned to a collaborative project is just that, an individual. Whether you are a shy introvert or an energetic extrovert, or a sensitive being or hard as nails individual, personalities either mesh well or fall flat. In order to meet the needs of all learners try to develop choice and voice for the project. Understand that each individual's contribution may fit the needs or abilities of their work.
Set your students up for success!!! Pacing guides, blueprints for the lesson outcome, and regular check-ins. Allowing a group of students, whether children or adults, to have free reign on their learning can be a disaster! You need a systemized update process and status of their learning and progress. Giving deadlines and setting a timeline in place allows for accountability for work progress.
Incorporate digital tools that successfully incorporate collaboration seamlessly. 2019, yup we have an app for that. In order for learners to feel successful, productive, and innovative lead them towards digital tools that will make their collaborative learning jump to the next level. Google apps for sure, social media platforms encouraged, and any other digital elements that will heighten the final product should be suggested and used!
Develop a blueprint. What better way to keep your project on schedule and on point than to give a detailed outline of what is expected. When I think of providing a BluePrint in my own classroom I directly think about Eduprotocols by Marla Hebern and Jon Corripo (um they are amazing!) Directly from their site "The workflow of each EduProtocol stays the same, allowing students to understand the process in order to stay focused on the learning of the content." Thus your students are engaging with the content, not necessarily recreating the process and you get a final product that is legit and mastery-based! Allow students to feel successful with a blueprint that will showcase their learning - just allow them to modify or individualize the product, therefore, you see their lovely colors shine through their work.
Lastly, be openminded, be flexible, and allow for modifications and accommodations. Being a general education teacher that incorporates inclusion, I have to constantly change up and support my students as we work through our learning process. Understand that every learning path that is taken, which shows diligence and purpose, is something to be proud of. The great thing about collaborative projects is that they are designed for learning experiences that will enhance and generate products of learning that you will never get it done in a silo. Understand the process, appreciate the risk-taking, and encourage the communication taking place in the classroom that will ultimately generate new thinking and mindsets.

Works Cited

National Standards for Quality Online Teaching. INACOL, Oct. 2011, www.inacol.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/national-standards-for-quality-online-teaching-v2.pdf.

Hebern, Marlena, Corripo, Jon. The EduProtocol Field Guide: 16 Student-Centered Lesson Frames for Infinite Learning Possibilities. Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated, 2018