Collaborative Learning

As part of work for Module 3, I've been asked to explore and respond to content surrounding collaborative learning and its impact in education and the professional community.  I started by reading an article by Ted Panitz that outlines the differences between cooperative learning and collaborative learning. I discovered that while the two are root in constructivism, there are many differences between the two. For one, the origins of the words are different (cooperative has American roots, collaborative roots are English). The structures of the two also possess numerous contrasts; while cooperative learning is based more on the specific processes that team members engage in to develop and accomplish specific goals, collaboration also defines the philosophy that is needed for accepting the individual differences and contributions needed to achieve the team's goals.

Three other articles helped me see the concepts and application of collaborative learning more clearly, and summaries where written in response to the readings.

Article 1: Creating an Environment for Collaborative Learning

 In her article, Anne Blouin describes the work of the American Society of Association Executives in helping associations and their members improve their work and their impact through the power of collaboration. Comprised of over 21,000 members from over 9,000 organizations, ASAE’s goal is similar to that found in schools and other businesses around the world: to improve performance and effectiveness through collaboration and communities of practice.

In 2005, The Center for Association Leadership developed an initiative to provide such a platform for its members. Understanding that collaboration is more than a single activity like group members contributing answers in their group, the ASAE has worked to plan and implement activities designed to encourage members to contribute, gain knowledge and insights, and work with their team to build understanding, improve relationships, and achieve individual and collective goals. Meetings, both in person and in online virtual environments are held, centering discussions and conversations around topics identified by the group; group members share ideas, products, and documents; they develop and structure projects based on specified needs, using the input of the team to achieve goals.  The ASAE provides software as platforms for groups to use and supports learning a participation through their meetings, conferences, and online forums.

 Article 2: How Collaborative Learning Leads to Student Success

 Matt Davis describes the learning at The College Preparatory School in Oakland, California as the type needed for success only in today’s college climate but also in the work done beyond the classroom doors.  Students there do not work in traditional classroom setting where the teacher serves as the expert of the topic while students passively absorb lectures through note-taking, seated in straight rows. Instead, work is designed and addressed in a collaborative learning environment, where students work through problems and assignments by contributing ideas, arguing and testing them, before developing conclusions that don’t necessarily coincide with those of their peers. In a collaborative environment, Davis notes, the “right answer” isn’t always a single answer, and students are charged with developing insights and ideas through interaction with their peers that are sound more than they are with seeking and finding one common solution or answer to their work or assignment.

The benefits of such a structure and environment are numerous, as Mr. Davis observes, go beyond knowledge acquisition of the subjects and topics introduced in class. Through the practices and mindset provided by collaborative learning, students develop strong interpersonal and reasoning skills, they learn to see problems from multiple angles, work together to meet group goals while improving individual understanding. Moreover, students that can perform in collaborative settings are able to take on more difficult questions and projects by utilizing the knowledge and ideas of the collective team than they could have by working alone. The culture that supports this style of learning has become more prevalent in college and business communities, and The College Preparatory School has made it their mission to empower their students for future success by weaving this structure and mentality into their teaching and learning.

Article 3: 12 Principles of Collaboration

In 12 Principles of Collaboration, Renee Gaylor identifies the ideas most important for creating, supporting, and maintaining a successful collaborative environment for its members. These 12 ideas are listed in the article with descriptions and are shown in a graphic at the beginning, but after reading through I noticed that they could be grouped by the audience the principle addresses and the goals established by the collaborative team.

When addressing the impact of and on the individual member of the team, consider these principles:

1. Individual benefit is just as important as the overall corporate benefit (if not more important)

3. Listen to the voice of the employee

These two ideas suggest that the identity of the individual, including her/his ideas and needs, cannot be lost in the team environment that collaborative work supports.  What they take from these experiences must be evaluated with the same rigor as what contributions are made.

Some principles seem to address the system and structure of collaboration:

2. Strategy before technology

6. Integrate into the flow of work

8. Measure what matters

Without proper organization of strategies, procedures, assessment, and connection to the work, collaboration will not be able to meet its intended goals.

These principles are centered on the requirements of leadership in promoting and fostering successful collaboration:

4. Learn to get out of the way

5. Lead by example

7. Create a supportive environment

Like a ship, collaboration lists components necessary to insure that it is steered in the direction of success. Management that is knowledgeable in supporting collaboration, takes part, and provides connections and accountability is vital for both the team’s success and employee morale.

Principles that support the collaborative team are identified:

9. Persistence

10. Adapt and evolve

And finally, the ideas that suggest the impacts beyond the team and management are found in the last two principles:

11. Employee collaboration also benefits the customer

12. Collaboration can make the world a better place

The 12 Principles demonstrate both the elements as well as the impact that collaboration possesses and how many considerations must be taken to ensure success: the team and individual members, the leadership, the structure of collaboration, as well as the other recipients of a team’s collaborative efforts.

When considering what collaborative work I've done on my blog and in class, I realize that I've been a member of a collaborative team since the beginning of ED675. The blog itself can be a power tool for collaborative learning. By exploring my colleagues' blogs, as well as contributing with my own, we are able to gain additional insights in learning 21 tools as well as content provided by our course. Another example is the Group Discussion Board that my classmates and I have been developing for the last month. Each module, new topics are introduced by forum leaders (a role we all been assigned), while team members post questions, answers, and ideas for the rest of the team to consider and give response. The example below is a screenshot of part of one such discussion surrounding the use of technology when communicating with various shareholders at a school:

Using the feedback, questions, and insights of my peers has already provided me with information and ideas that would've taken me longer to discover on my own, if I'd ever found them at all. I am able to interact and use the knowledge and reasoning of others to not only give me better understanding of the content but also provide experience in interpersonal communication, recognition of the diverse needs and contributions of team members, and practice at giving and receiving feedback as we all work to improve our knowledge and skill sets.

Citations:

"Collaborative Versus Cooperative Learning: Comparing the Two Definitions Helps Understand the nature of Interactive learning" T. Panitz Cooperative Learning and College Teaching, V8, No. 2, Winter 1997. Retrieved July 6, 2015 from http://home.capecod.net/~tpanitz/tedsarticles/coopdefinition.htm

Blouin, A. (2005, May). ASAE ® The Center for Association Leadership. Retrieved July 6, 2015, from http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/articledetail.cfm?ItemNumber=18285

ASAE ® The Center for Association Leadership. (n.d.). Retrieved July 6, 2015, from http://www.asaecenter.org/AboutUs/

Davis, M. (2012, December 5). How Collaborative Learning Leads to Student Success. Retrieved July 5, 2015, from http://www.edutopia.org/stw-collaborative-learning-college-prep

Gaylor, R. (2013, April 16). 12 Principles of Collaboration - westXdesign. Retrieved July 5, 2015, from http://westxdesign.com/2013/04/collaboration/