Teachers dictating long answers and students noting them down have been the conventional mode of instruction for as long as we can remember. It is a primary example of passive learning and may have its advantages, but it does not necessarily engage students. Therefore, teachers use unique pedagogical methods like collaborative learning to enhance student learning experiences.
In fact, collaborative learning might not be new, but it is most certainly an effective approach wherein teachers divide the class into small groups. Furthermore, there are many strategies to create effective collaborative classroom sessions, which are as follows:
Tactical Group Selection
One of the first things that teachers notice on asking students to choose lab partners or divide themselves into groups is that they choose their friends. Also, it is quite likely that they will choose to sort themselves with individuals with whom they bond. However, the goal is not to provide them with a platform just to enjoy and have fun with their friends.
On the contrary, the aim is to challenge them and introduce them to varying opinions, so teachers must create a diverse line-up. They can put students with different abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and varying levels of confidence in individual groups. It will allow students of varying personalities and perspectives to work towards a common goal.
Encourage Listening
While working in a group, students encounter diverse opinions, and all of them are eager to share their thoughts. On the other hand, some of their classmates might be introverted and prefer to stay silent observers. Therefore, teachers must declare general rules which indicate equal participation of all students, and everyone must listen to their group member’s opinions.
As a result, while working on group projects, students will discuss their findings and have discussions, which reduce their hesitation and improve communication skills.
Assign Roles to Each Group Member
Frequent banters, confusion, lack of focus and gradual delays are inevitable results of disorganised group work. Hence, while making the groups, teachers must assign specific roles to individual students, for instance :
- A leader who spearheads the entire project and overviews everyone’s responsibilities.
- A researcher who does the necessary research work and collects vital information.
- A compiler who puts together the work based on collected data.
- A mediator ensures that all group members can share their views. They also help find a solution and help bond and maintain peace by conducting activities such as meditation in school.
Also, despite having different responsibilities, all members must help each other if they struggle.
Use-real World Problems
Teachers can assign real-world problems to the students, which will help them do necessary research work, allowing them to find relevant solutions. For example, while working on the presentation or English speech topics, students can select issues impacting their cities or different countries worldwide.
Peer Review
Peer review is an excellent way of allowing students to provide personalised feedback to one another. According to this approach, one group of students can evaluate the work of another by providing fair and constructive feedback. However, teachers must declare the guidelines, helping to maintain authenticity.
In Conclusion,
Collaborative learning strategies help to increase student engagement and foster problem-solving skills. Additionally, it allows students to work dedicatedly on a common objective, helping to gain a better understanding of their classmates.