Collaborative Learning
Students need to be taught the skills, tools and strategies to work effectively with others. Effective collaborative learning needs thoughtful and gradual integration with a range of other strategies to be truly effective, with planned, direct teaching of targeted skills and development over time. Before undertaking cooperative learning tasks teachers need to consider the skill level and range of strategies that students are proficient in and then plan units of work which draw on these skills or strategies. Some units will require the direct teaching and practising of new skills before students undertake the unit.
The success of collaborative learning is enhanced when :
- an effective classroom environment is provided
- the classroom is structured appropriately
- different student roles have been established
- lessons are based on collaborative learning strategies.
