Effective collaboration requires practice. Teamwork skills such as communication, organization, accountability, and conflict resolution help groups work productively together. Like any skill, these abilities can be developed through intentional instruction and practice.
Students are often assigned group work without being taught how to work effectively in teams. When teamwork skills are underdeveloped, collaboration can become frustrating, inefficient, or inequitable. Explicit instruction helps students learn how to communicate, coordinate responsibilities, and navigate challenges together.
Students:
divide and conquer rather than collaborate
struggle to communicate expectations
miss deadlines or responsibilities
avoid addressing conflict
become frustrated during group work
Whatever approach you use, tell students why. Teamwork is a skill that can be learned and strengthened through practice. Make the skills of collaboration visible by naming what students are practicing—whether it's communication, shared responsibility, listening, decision-making, or navigating disagreement.
Many instructors support teamwork through group projects, role assignments, communication expectations, peer feedback, and collaborative learning experiences.
Consider:
How do students learn what effective teamwork looks like?
What opportunities do students have to practice specific collaboration skills?
How are communication, shared responsibility, and disagreement supported?
What teamwork skills might students be expected to use without having been explicitly taught?
Quick Activities
Discussion Protocols
Ongoing Practices
After trying a strategy, reflect on what you noticed and check in with students. What you learn can help you decide what to do next.
Ask yourself:
Did students practice a specific teamwork skill rather than simply complete a group task?
What seemed to help students work together more effectively?
What skill or structure might students still need support with?
Optional student check:
I have opportunities in this class to learn and practice skills that help me work effectively with others.
Consider using the same question again later to notice whether students' experiences change.
Then decide:
Keep it → Adjust it → Choose again
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