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1.1
What is Collaborative Learning?

Submitted by Nicholas Longo

It is said that, “the many are smarter than the few,” but under what circumstances? This activity encourages participants to reflect upon their own collaborative successes and failures for the purpose of determining which factors help to achieve effective collaboration.

average rating is 3 out of 5, based on 150 votes, rating(s)
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Learning Goal

  • Identify key attributes associated with successful and unsuccessful collaborative discussion


Instructions


Step One: Prepare for the Activity

You can use Google Jamboard if you are doing this activity online or a flipchart/whiteboard if doing this in person to collect the list of attributes participants share during the activity.

Here is a Sample Jamboard. Sign in to a Google account to create a copy of this Jamboard and add two blank sheets without any attributes. (If you set Anyone with a Link to Viewer and share the link of your Jamboard with participants, they do not need to be signed in to a Google account to view the Jamboard.)


Step Two: Create a List of Positive Attributes (10 minutes)

Begin by asking participants to call on their own experiences with collaboration (school, work, teams, clubs) and share attributes that they associate with positive collaboration. Use these prompts to help them remember the details of their positive experience:

  • Who did you collaborate with?

  • How did you collaborate and what were the outcomes?

  • What conditions, activities, and/or characteristics made the collaboration work well?


Collect the list of attributes shared on your copy of the Sample Jamboard or another shared surface visible to everyone.



Sample Positive Attributes
Sample Positive Attributes

Once they are done sharing attributes, invite participants to review the list of attributes generated. Ask them to share anything missing from the list that they would like to add.


Step Three: Create a List of Negative Attributes (10 minutes)

Next, ask participants to think about a negative collaborative experience and share attributes of failed collaboration. Use similar prompts to help them remember the details of their negative experience:

  • Who did you collaborate with?

  • How did you collaborate and what were the outcomes?

  • What conditions, activities, and/or characteristics made the collaboration not work well?


Once again, collect the list of attributes shared and, once they are done sharing, invite participants to review the list and add anything missing.


Step Four: Debrief (15 minutes)

Discuss:

  • What are some common observations? Do themes or schemes of analysis emerge from these lists?

  • Who is responsible for successful collaboration?

  • What single attribute is most likely to undermine the success of collaboration?

  • How do we anticipate or work around these obstacles?



TIME

35

min

MODULE

Introduction to Collaborative Discussion

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2 comment(s)

average rating is 3 out of 5

December 7, 2022 at 1:39:24 PM

I think we all know that creating guidelines is important. I introduce Activity 1.1 What is Collaborative Learning? first and then use the positive and negative attributes that they generate to help form our group guidelines.

average rating is 3 out of 5

November 28, 2022 at 8:34:01 PM

Activity 1.3 is a good activity that helps develop a sense of cohesion and psychological safety in the group.

average rating is 3 out of 5

November 28, 2022 at 8:34:01 PM

Good activity

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