Aim: This task invites you to consider ways of implementing learner cooperation and collaboration in online teaching and learning

Time: 20 - 30 minutes

Instructions

Collaborative learning happens when you get your learners to work together in the classroom in pairs or small groups. Collaborative learning can be used with all age groups and no matter what subject you teach. You probably already use collaborative learning activities in the F2F classroom together with your other teaching methods. Remember that collaboration was one of the 4C’s that you met in Module 1, and it’s considered an essential skill for the 21st century. Let’s explore what collaboration looks like online.

Part 2: Advantages & disadvantages

Collaboration between learners online has many advantages but also some disadvantages. Look at the statements below and decide whether each statement is an advantage or a disadvantage.

Part 3: How can your learners work collaboratively?

When done online, collaborative activities can help overcome feelings of isolation. Here are a few collaborative activities that your learners can do online (e.g. in WhatsApp groups).

Part 4: Forming collaborative groups

How can we create strong and effective collaborative groups for our learners? One option is to ask each group to give themselves a name and an image/logo, to help foster team spirit. The 'Lions of Hoedspruit' is a team name created for a collaborative group of lower secondary learners in Limpopo Province. Look at the slideshow below for more tips on how to form strong collaborative groups with your learners.

Using collaborative groups in WhatsApp live lessons

Now, imagine you’ve put your learners into long term collaborative groups. Then imagine that you are going to give them a live lesson in WhatsApp or in a video conferencing platform. Here are some steps that you can follow to include collaborative group work effectively in your live lessons.

Please choose whether you do it before or during the lesson.