# data[].attributes.body
There are two different collaborative learning spaces. One is the classroom collaboration in the physical space. Secondly, is the digital learning space that the group works on either individually or together.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Collaborative Classroom Design - ETG S3E15 by EduTechGuys

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On today’s show, the guys talk about Collaborative Learning Spaces and the impact this has on the future of education. Exciting news from the EAST Initiative Update and more!

# data[].attributes.body
Students can use digital platforms to work virtually through recordings to share each others work and progress.

# data[].attributes.body
Sometimes students need visual presentation or applications to learn or work together. For instance, if they have one computer but have a projector of some form to show one another and work off that at the same time. The physical design makes a difference to have a successful group collaboration.

# data[].attributes.body
Centers of learning within the center of learning. It helps students learn in different ways. Like a place they can go to within the school like library or cafeteria.

# data[].attributes.body
Create a space to organize tips or tools for group collaboration or spaces for students to have access to in order to increase their technology content skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A common aspect of contemporary productivity is organizing and sharing documents. These tools help students organize their work and collaborate asynchronously with individuals or teams. Commenting features enable feedback from teachers, peers, experts and others. Access the full list of categories here.

# data[].attributes.body
Dropbox – This is an online storage tool for photos, documents, videos and files. Anything added to Dropbox will automatically appear on synched devices allowing for access anytime, anywhere. Dropbox is also a collaborative tool. Students can edit the same file simultaneously with each student’s edits saving to their own copy in their old folder.

# data[].attributes.body
Google Drive – This an all-in-one online file creation, storage and collaboration solution provides anytime, anywhere access. Data files, such as documents, spreadsheets, presentations, drawings and forms, can be accessed from any smartphone, tablet or computer. Students can collaborate on documents in real time, and teachers can provide valuable feedback through commenting tools.

# data[].attributes.body
Padlet – This virtual wall allows students to contribute images, videos, documents and text. It can be used as a brainstorming tool, as a way to organize notes and as a collaboration tool. Posts occur in real time and “pads” can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Here are 20 Useful Ways to Use Padlet in Class Now by Matt Miller.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Tips to form a successful global collaboration project

# data[].attributes.headline
10 Tips for Global Collaboration Projects by John Spencer

# data[].attributes.subject
10 Tips for Global Collaboration Projects by John Spencer

# data[].attributes.body
1. Start with a “cooperative” project before going collaborative.
2. Plan it out in the summer. A time where it is available for everyone schedule.
3. Choose one project. Limit oneself to one project at a time.
4. Choose asynchronous tools. That way everyone can work at their own pace.
5. Remember the context. It's easy to forget about the diverse way of thinking being incorporated.
6. Double-check policies. Remember what sites might be blocked or inaccessible.
7. Talk to stakeholders. Share why the project is essential to learning.
8. Create shared expectations.
9. Pay attention to culture, class, and race. Try and utilize each student and make appropriate connections to roles and responsibilities.
10. Do some team-builders. Give students a chance to know one another beforehand.

# data[].attributes.headline
10 Tips for Global Collaboration Projects

# data[].attributes.subject
10 Tips for Global Collaboration Projects

# data[].attributes.body
At times group collaboration projects have barriers that arise due to indifference. John Spencer tips for group collaboration can be helpful to utilize in the classroom or pretty much anytime group collaboration is needed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Two years ago, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of speaking at the White House and sharing the story of a global collaboration project. It was part of the Future Ready initiative and I spoke about the need to leverage the connective and creative power of technology in design projects that were human-centered. I shared a few success stories, but the reality of the project is that we faced tons of mistakes and ran into tons of barriers. We had groups fail to complete the project. We had one class abandon the project right before it began.

The truth is that global collaboration is really hard to pull off. Here are a few of the barriers we faced:

Not every teacher had the same philosophy about student choice.

Each teacher had slightly different ideas about how structured the design thinking process should be.

Each school had different policies governing what teachers could and couldn't do.

Each teacher had varying expectations regarding things like deadlines and late work.

Many of the tools we planned to use were blocked in different schools.

We ran into issues of culture and class and power and privilege. Global collaboration doesn't happen in a cultural or social vacuum.

The curriculum maps didn't line up perfectly.

Schools have really rigid schedules but also tons of interruptions (fire drills, awards assemblies, etc.)

We ran into a huge time zone issue, which meant the projects had to be mostly asynchronous.

We didn't do a very good job getting our work to an authentic audience.

So, looking at the mistakes we made and the barriers we faced, would I do it again? Absolutely. Because, here's the thing: those barriers happen all the time in global collaboration. You see these same issues when companies have remote workers. You see it when friends work long distance on creative projects. Global collaboration is hard to pull off. That's why so many people never even try.

But whether we like it or not, we live in a connected world. We're not sure what careers our students will enter, but chances are they'll engage in global collaboration. This goes beyond group work or even cooperation:

Subscribe to YouTube Channel

1. Start with a "cooperative" project before going collaborative. For example, when teachers participated in our Global Day of Design, they worked independently. Teachers shared their work with a global audience using the same hash tag on Instagram, Vine, and Twitter. However, in a few cases, these loose connections led to deeper collaboration.

2. Plan it out in the summer. I have two good friends that I've known from blogging and Twitter. We tried to make global collaboration work but our schedules just didn't fit. Things got crazy during the school year and every one of us dropped the ball.

3. Choose one project. Global collaboration is important but so is your local community. These projects can be a drain on time and energy. By limiting yourself to one project, students are exposed to global collaboration and get a vision for what it could look like, but you don't end up burning out.

4. Choose asynchronous tools. We tried to use Google Hangouts and Skype but that turned out to be a nightmare. We had better results using email, blogs (in our case Write About, which I helped develop), and Google Drive.

5. Remember the context. It's easy to forget just how different the school culture and climate can be from place to place. It can be a challenge to pull off a global collaboration project in a dysfunctional culture.

6. Double-check policies. Find out what tools are blocked from place to place. See what the rules are about publishing one's work to the world. Make sure you have the right paperwork.

7. Talk to stakeholders. Share why global collaboration is vital for students and how your project will help students gain skills for the creative economy.

8. Create shared expectations. Each group will exist in a separate context, so this can create a clash in what behaviors are considered okay in each environment.

9. Pay attention to culture, class, and race. We ran into this challenge a few times, where my students felt that they were given less leadership in their groups because of their native language, their accents, or their cultural background. Diversity is valuable and we want to see students connect cross-culturally. However, there are some real hot button issues right now and we, as teachers, need to be cognizant of this as we approach global collaboration.

10. Do some team-builders. Let your students get the chance to get to know one another before launching a larger project. This could be a simple interest survey or a set of email exchanges back and forth. It could be a game or an interactive activity.

Looking for more? Check this out.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Tips for Global Collaboration Projects

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Two years ago, I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of speaking at the White House and sharing the story of a global collaboration project. It was part of the Future Ready initiative and I spoke about the need to leverage the connective and creative power of technology in design projects that were human-centered.

# data[].attributes.body
Wikispaces – A wiki is a website that allows collaborative writing, editing and sharing of content. Students can use wikis for project collaborations, class discussions, documenting science projects, publishing a class learning journal or creating a math vocabulary book. This wiki was created by third graders during a unit on pioneers and the westward expansion.

# data[].attributes.body
Tricider – This web application is designed for online collaboration and brainstorming. Teachers and students can collect and discuss ideas and generate solutions. Students can make their case using the argument tool and then vote on the best ideas. It offers an easy way to bring the democratic process into the classroom and allows all students to have a voice.