Resources for Collaboration by Jennifer Dow

Pros and Cons to Using Collaborative Projects

madamedow — 2014-11-02 13:40:48 UTC

Pros:

* Projects result in higher class satisfaction

* There is a longer retention of the material

* Students demonstrate responsiblity

* Projects generate interest and engagement

* Self-esteem is increased

* Students are exposed to new ideas and perspectives

* Higher-level thinking skills are required

* Students learn to work together, an important skill for the future

Srinivas, Hari. 44 Benefits of Collaborative Learning. Retrieved November 3, 2014, from http://www.gdrc.org/kmgmt/c-learn/44.html

Cons:

* Some students may have difficulty working with their peers

* One person may unfairly take on too much of the project

* A lot of advance planning is required by the teacher for more involved projects

* Strong expectations are necessary from day one in order for the project to succeed

* The work needs to be relevant or it will be seen as busy work

* Students become dependent on one another and are not able to work independently

* Not as many topics are covered

Kagan, Spencer (1999, Winter) Cooperative Learning: Seventeen Pros and Seventeen Cons plus Ten Tips for Success. Retrieved November 3, 2014, from http://www.kaganonline.com/free_articles/dr_spencer_kagan/ASK06.php

The BEST Collaborative Practices allow for:

madamedow — 2014-11-02 13:41:19 UTC

Independent Work/Contribution- Each student has a voice and has the ability to make personal, unique contributions to the project- within their own capacity to do so.
Independent Accountability- Students hold one another accountable for making contributions in a timely manner. This ensures greater time on task, and can assist students who are easily distracted, to remain on task and on time with their contributions.
Active Learning- In order to fully process the tasks inherent in a group project/task, students will have to "talk it out" in order to make certain that they each understand the tasks and requirements of the project. They will have to: read for clarity and understanding, bounce ideas off of one another, and share their ideas, opinions, critiques. This will enable them to make timely decisions that all can agree upon. As a result, active learning strategies foster greater postive peer interaction and promote the development of numerous social skills.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (1999). Making Cooperative Learning Work. Theory Into Practice, 38(2), 67

Tech Talks

madamedow — 2014-11-02 13:41:53 UTC

Here are some useful technology applications that will help you with your collaborative project:

1. Google Docs - This software allows you to create or upload documents that can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection. The documents can be easily shared with others and edited.

2. Noteapp.com - This software is built around the idea of posting sticky notes with ideas to a corkboard, only digitally. The URL of your corkboard can be shared and sticky notes can be added, arranged and edited in real time. Files and images can be added, as well. Work is instantly save.

3. Wikispaces.com - This software allows users to create webpages to share and edit together. Group members can keep their information private until they want to share it. Then, projects can be shared with outside groups. Teachers can monitor all groups throughout the process.

*Shearing, Lenva (2014) Web 2.0: Cool Tools for Schools. Retrieved November 3, 2014 from http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/Collaborative+Tools

EPALS

madamedow — 2014-11-02 13:52:11 UTC

World Language Projects

French Global Read Aloud

madamedow — 2014-11-02 14:04:59 UTC

collaborative wiki

Global Virtual Classroom

madamedow — 2014-11-02 14:53:40 UTC

Here's a great site with tons of resources on Global Collaboration Initiatives

Methods/Strategies of Collaborative Learning in this World Language Classroom

madamedow — 2014-11-02 15:23:54 UTC

Here are just a few examples of collaborative learning activities that are regularly used in class:

Think/Pair/Share
Manipulatives matching
Group sentence construction
Peer Interview and Share
I have, who has- group recollection game
verb chart /grammar chart analysis- observe and record findings, then share with class
Finish the phrase
Tandem-card dialogue rehearsal
skit creation
epal- virtual conversation via skype
group wiki creation
collaborative quizlet flashcard decks
twitter feed and response
survey poll - creation, participation, summary of results
Song Creation- Check out the link below to hear the most recent submission:"

Collaboration is the Key to 21st Century Teaching and Learning

madamedow — 2014-11-02 15:57:50 UTC

Current research shows that:

Actively engaged students learn best
They retain greater amounts of information for longer periods of time
Group collaboration is Peer and student based learning. *

This makes for HAPPIER students!

*Gross Davis, B. (1993, January 1). Collaborative Learning: Group Work and Study Teams. Retrieved November 2, 2014, from http://tfsc.uark.edu/193.php

madamedow — 2014-11-02 16:13:38 UTC

madamedow — 2014-11-02 16:16:57 UTC

The Lunch box project

otisbayer — 2014-11-04 01:41:31 UTC

Schools all around the world post a typical lunch which leads to other schools reaching out to ask questions and make connections.

Callejeros literarios

otisbayer — 2014-11-04 01:46:02 UTC

Sometimes we forget the meaning behind names. This project focuses in on streets named after famous Spanish writers and challenges groups to learn about the writers behind the names on the street signs.