Team Clark

Developing Community for Effective Collaboration

Why Collaborate?

• Promotes deeper levels of knowledge

• Promotes initiative, creativity and development of critical thinking skills

• Promotes co-creation of knowledge

• Promotes reflection

Developing Community for Effective Collaboration

Building Community

• A sense of community must exist for collaboration to occur

– When students sense they belong to a supportive group they feel safe to answer, extend their learning experiences, test out new ideas and receive critical and constructive feedback without getting offended or alienated.

– Working collaboratively on-line may lead to higher motivation and when students are motivated is less likely that they ‘drop out’ of class.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwIASjSD37M&feature=related

Developing Community for Effective Collaboration

• All the people involved

• Shared purpose• Sharing information, experiences, interests, resources

• Guidelines• Structure of the course, ground rules for participation and interaction

• Technology or Meeting Places

• Collaborative Learning• Student-to-student interaction

• Reflection• To reinforce and transform the learning

Elements of CommunityElements of Community

Developing Community for Effective CollaborationDeveloping Community for Effective Collaboration

Why Do People Need to Learn to Work Together?

• Team work will develop leadership skills in students.

• Using teamwork in the workplace can help to pull everyone’s strengths together.

• Consequences for people who don’t pull their weight in the teamwork can be even more severe in the workplace.

• When you can replicate the real world in your classes you will need less time to get adjusted to the real world.

Developing Community for Effective Collaboration

Characteristics of Groups That Make Them Work

• Goals and expectations are clear

• Definite correlation between learning objectives and finished product

• Introductions or Icebreakers that put members at ease and allow them to start forming connections and building relationships

• Variety of activities and teaching methods used to engage different learning styles

• Flexibility to allow groups to select learning tools that members feel comfortable using and enable group to personalize project

• Positive, welcoming, safe environment

• Instructor facilitates group work with guidance and encouragement, treating all students with respect

• High expectations for group and all group members held accountable

• Open forum to discuss ideas and thoughts without judgment

Developing Community for Effective Collaboration

When groups work to complete the task.

Performing

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When groups end the work and disband or regroup for other tasks.

Adjourning

5

Stages of Group Development

When groups get to know one another.

Forming

When groups figure out how to work together.

Norming

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2

Problem-solving where there will be disagreement and/or conflict. Differences of opinions bring the opportunity for collaboration, compromise, debate, and other actions that lead to decision making and motivation. Disagreement can help learners develop the problem solving skills and communication skills essential in the 21st century.  Group members consider concepts and ideas from different perspectives. Students learn to express thoughts and feelings appropriately in a formal environment, as will happen in the workplace.

Storming

3

Developing Community for Effective Collaboration

Communicate with students en masse and individually; compare and contrast within the different groups.

What Do I Need to Do as an Instructor?

Set the Stage

Model the Process

Create the Environment

Set expectations for all levels of cooperation through rubrics and frequent checks for understanding.

Incorporate probing questions for groups and individuals by identifying strengths in each group.

Use with expectations, communicate with students and groups for feedback.

Develop a platform of mutual trust, shared learning and a common goal.

Developing Community for Effective Collaboration

Successful CollaborationDemonstrating hospitality, tolerance, constructive suggestions, and feedback equal successful collaboration.

Teaching 21st Century Learners the art of online negotiation and problem solving will bring them into the global community of education, business, and culture.

Instructor should encourage group members to get to know each other and to form relationships.

Collaboration can be enhanced by encouraging groups to take ownership over their project. 

Flexibility in the project format guidelines allows group members to choose from a variety of resources, tapping into the group’s diversity and creativity.

Instructor should monitor group progress and intervene when necessary to keep group focused and to give group support and encouragement along the way. 

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Developing Community for Effective Collaboration

THANK YOU!