Collaborative Learning in the Classroom   

This course will teach you six common collaborative learning models that you can implement immediately into your classroom to increase student engagement and discourse.

Regular student discourse and engagement through collaborative learning are critical components of a well-rounded lesson cycle. Knowing which collaborative learning model to choose, learning how to support student engagement, and understanding strategies for deep learning are critical to the success of collaborative learning. This course teaches you 6 common models, helps you build a collaborative learning plan ready for implementation, and provides you with student worksheets and resources that can be used immediately to create a collaborative classroom.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
• Editing of a Microsoft Word document is required in this course. You may use a free version of Microsoft Word Online, or Google Docs if you do not have Microsoft Office installed on your computer. Model Teaching can provide support for this.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

1. What is Collaborative Learning?
   1. An Overview of Collaborative Learning and the Peer Relationship
   2. Common Elements of Collaborative Learning
   3. How to Build Peer Groups for Collaborative Learning
2. Low Prep Common Collaborative Learning Models
   1. Six Common Collaborative Models Used in the Classroom
   2. Examples of How They Can Promote Student Collaboration
3. Structuring and Assessing Collaboration
   1. What Elements Make Up Strong Collaboration
   2. How to Structure Your Activities and Prompts to Promote Strong Collaboration
   3. How to Hold Students Accountable for Their Learning in Collaborative Groups
   4. How to Assess Collaboration Within Groups
4. Putting it All Together
   1. Using the sample provided, build your own collaborative learning plan for an upcoming lesson.
5. Applying What you Have Learned
   1. Get ideas on how to implement the concepts into your classroom, find a list of online resources that feature collaborative learning models, and read the research behind collaboration and student engagement that supports this evidence-based professional development

What you will learn

• Define what collaborative learning is and analyze methods and tools for grouping students
• Evaluate six collaborative learning models that are lower prep options for student discourse
• Design your own collaborative teaching methods for structuring and assessing student collaboration within activities

How you will benefit

• Student discourse and engagement will be targeted and purposeful, closely connecting with your lesson concepts
• Students will be able to interact with your course concepts more deeply in a structured, collaborative setting
• You will likely notice a more positive classroom environment and improved academic performance over time