ONL191 Group 11 by https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753 Topic 3: Collaborative Learning en-us 2019-04-28 04:25:54 UTC 2019-04-28 07:01:27 UTC hello@padlet.com Topic 3 Scenario: “Most people I’ve come across have a rather weak idea of what it really means to learn collaboratively. Mostly, we fall back into the group-work mode from school – we divide tasks between us and glue them onto the same board when it comes to accounting of a group project. When digital tools are inserted into this equation, things tend to get even worse: if one person in the group happens to be familiar with the tool, then work lands in her/his lap. I would like to add an extra dimension to the course I’m leading by introducing collaborative elements, but how can I get people to really recognize the value of becoming part of a learning community and collaborate with their peers in a way that makes use of all the different competencies that group members bring into the work?” tatjanavrsu https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354734639 2019-04-28 04:28:10 UTC https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354734639 Active and collaborative learning tatjanavrsu https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354734814 What exactly do wey mean by collaborative learning and how exactly can we use it. The following video clearly demonstrates how collaborative learning can take place. 
Check it out below.

]]> 2019-04-28 04:31:15 UTC https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354734814 Group work and collaborative learning in higher education tatjanavrsu https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354735753
  • Social learning: working in a group is an important skill of higher education.
  • Good examples of the benefits of collaborative learning (CL) are of utmost importance for students.
  • Apply CL in teaching by using case studies, pair examination. 
  • To ensure active learner participation in online collaboration is to demonstrate the value of group learning by assessing both the product and process of group work.
  • Instructor skills are important for creating and managing interaction in online courses, especially when CL is required.

    • Challenges of CL

    • Different personalities within the group:
            not all students like group interaction,
            the work can be unevenly divided.

    The importance of feedback
    Feedback should be given partly by the facilitator (teacher) but also by the students themselves (for example peer reviews). 
    • Giving feedback to another student could help them become a community, learning the skill of how to give critical but still positive feedback, accepting the feedback given from another student and learning how to respond to the feedback.
    • Formative feedback from instructor should help group member to contribute into general work/product.
     
    Litterature
    (i) Brindley, J., Blaschke, L. M. & Walti, C. (2009). Creating effective collaborative learning groups in an online environment. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 10(3).

    ]]>     2019-04-28 04:54:57 UTC https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354735753     How to make CL work? tatjanavrsu https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354737972 Establish a balance between structure (clarity of task) and learner autonomy (flexibility of task)
    The instructor should provide guidelines for  conducting the group project (Palloff & Pratt, 1999) and ensure that the task is achievable and properly timed within the course (Bouchat, 2007). Effective course design will make the purpose of group tasks and the learning goals clear and explicit. 

    Transparency of expectations. 
    The learning objectives of collaboration and expectations of the learners are made very clear. Instructors encourage participation and are open about discussing the purpose and process.

    Clear instructions
    The group task, timelines, and usability of the desired product are described in detail.

    Appropriateness of task for group work
    Each study group works as a team to carry out an analysis of a particular task (develop a case study) in preparation for a second task (done individually). 

    Respect for the autonomy of learners
    Study group participation is mandatory but learners could have certain freedom to form their own groups based on shared interests. Instructors provide guidelines for group formation and open a space in the virtual classroom. The instructor should monitor this process to avoid exclusion of some students.

    Monitor group activities actively and closely
    During the collaborative process, the instructor needs to be available for feedback, general information, and private counsel. The instructor needs to monitor meetings and chats to provide timely feedback on process and direction when necessary to prevent groups from getting stalled or going off course.

    References
    Brindley J., Blaschke L. M. & Walti C. (2009). Creating effective collaborative learning groups in an online environment. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 10(3).
    ]]>     2019-04-28 05:41:50 UTC https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354737972     The jigsaw method tatjanavrsu https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354740820 There is an interesting video about the jigsaw method: what it is and how to effectively use it.
    Check out the video below.]]>     2019-04-28 06:42:22 UTC https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354740820     More on Collaborative Learning tatjanavrsu https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354741038 Here is a great article from Cornell University's Center for Teaching Innovation called "Collaborative Learning".
    Check out the link below.]]>     2019-04-28 06:47:14 UTC https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354741038     Recommendations to Group work and collaborative learning in higher education tatjanavrsu https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354741114
  • The summary and material of the course should be available for students at the beginning of the course providing them with the overall course content. 
  • Flexibility is important for effective collaboration, giving the students the possibility to choose own learning form/speed and tools.
  • There should be clear requirements, backup and feedback from instructors. 
  • Clear instructions of the group task and timelines. 
  • Within the group work there should be individual tasks which could be a part of the assessment.
  • Instructors have the responsibility to provide guidelines for group work and online rooms for the group work. The instructor need to monitor the process, be active providing feedback, information and private guiding if needed.
  • Common guidelines within the group is important. The group participants could together make the basic rules for the group: how do we want to work as a group, what to do if problem arises and how should we solve them? By making a group contract, it could help the participants to commit to the group work.

    • ]]>     2019-04-28 06:48:39 UTC https://padlet.com/tatjanavrsu/9whe2wwzj753/wish/354741114