Experts contend that collaborative learning encourages risk-taking and creativity for students and teachers alike, yet many faculty members remain wary of group work. They cite problems including unequal effort among group members, poor organization and communication, and confusion or even resentment about grading practices. What are some ways to tap the benefits of collaborative learning while encouraging students to share the load and work productively in small groups, both in and out of class?
In this session, we’ll explore approaches to collaborative learning designed to help students generate original ideas and take the lead in class discussion and project development. We’ll consider both informal collaborative exercises and formal group assignments that could be adopted for F2F or online settings. Bring your questions, ideas, and assignments to share!