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Student projects and cooperative tasks are activities that invite students to combine efforts and collaborate to share the content and skills they have learned over a period of time, such as a unit or marking period. Thus, having established routines and clear expectations for when students are working together is essential for their independence in completing projects and cooperative tasks/collaborative activities.

In the contemporary language classroom, collaborative activities can encourage all modes of language interaction, including interpersonal communication. When students are expected to work in partners and/or groups, attitudes and behaviors may change from when they participated in a whole class lecture. It is important to establish the classroom norms and expectations for when students work in groups for projects and other activities so that classroom learning time is maximized.

Setting the stage so that your students can benefit and effectively work together during these activities is an important first step for your planning and development of student project work and activities. In this module, we will explore several factors that will assist you and your students in managing project work and activities in the language classroom.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• describe the purpose and benefits of project work and cooperative activities in the language classroom

• explore various ways to develop and present project work and cooperative activities to and for all students

• exchange ideas for project work and cooperative activities that work well for all learners

• develop project ideas and cooperative activities that can be modified for multiple units of study using checklists, rubrics, collaborative work guidelines/expectations

• reflect on ways to adapt and differentiate project work and cooperative activities for all learners

Click here to download the Module 10 Packet.

10.1 Watch

Explore ideas for managing student project work and activities by watching two videos.

10.2 Read

Explore ideas for managing student project work and activities by reading at least two articles.

Articles

Article 1: Thinking Through Collaborative Projects in the Language Classroom by Kelley Webb

This article discusses the importance of creating a classroom community. Strategies for grouping students and managing project work and collaborative activities are shared.

Source: Webb, K. (2021). Thinking through collaborative projects in the language classroom. Teaching English through English: English Speaking Nation for Uzbekistan Program.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ihVhQVTFW7zfeZl1N0PNOmKzAmNll8tV/view?usp=sharing

Article 2: Toward better group work: Seeing the difference between cooperation and collaboration by Olga Kozar

The importance of collaboration in language learning is the topic of this article. Five step-by-step collaborative activities for the language classroom are shared.

Source: Kozar, O. (2010). Toward better group work: Seeing the difference between cooperation and collaboration.English Teaching Forum, 48(2), 16-23. https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/48_2-etf-towards-better-group-work-seeing-the-difference-between-cooperation-and-collaboration.pdf

Article 3: Minimizing the chaos through cooperative classroom management by Gena Rhoades

This article discusses techniques for preparing for cooperative learning activities in the language classroom. Ideas for forming groups, setting expectations, and tracking progress are shared.

Source: Rhoades, G. (2013). Minimizing the chaos through cooperative classroom management. English Teaching Forum, 51(4), 28- 34. https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/51_4_5_rhoades.pdf

Additional Resources

Learning to Learn Cooperatively (examples are for young language learners, but suggestions can be applied to all ages of language learners) by Anne Hammond Byrd

Source: Byrd, A. H . (2009). Learning to learn cooperatively. English Teaching Forum, 47 (4), 18- 28. https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/09-47-4-d.pdf

Creating Meaningful Web Pages: A Project-Based Course (suitable for advanced learners) by Amy Kayser

Source: Kayser, A. (2002). Learning to learn cooperatively. English Teaching Forum, 40 (3), 12- 19. https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/02-40-3-f.pdf

Using Cooperative Learning to Facilitate Alternative Assessment by Ghazi Ghaith

Source: Ghaith, G. (2002). Learning to learn cooperatively. English Teaching Forum, 40 (3), 26-31. https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/02-40-3-h.pdf

10.3 Search

Explore more teaching resources about managing student project work and activities by searching these websites:

• American English Resources page

• Edutopia

(Hint: Try using these keywords: cooperative learning, project-based learning, communicative activities)

10.4 Think

Consider the ways you already use or would like to integrate cooperative activities and projects in your class(es).

Think about the following questions and write down some thoughts in your journal.

• What are your beliefs about cooperative learning activities in the language classroom?

• What challenges and successes have you had with managing student project work and/or cooperative activities?

• What fears or uncertainties do you have about implementing project work and cooperative activities in your class(es)?

10.5 Create

Create a new or adapt an existing cooperative activity or project using some of the ideas you have learned so far in this module. Use the template below when creating your activity:

Activity/Lesson Name:

Grade level / Unit (if applicable):

Activity/Project Description:

• The purpose of this activity/project is to...

• This activity/project is effective for this lesson/unit because…

• Here are some steps to help you use this activity/project in your classroom…

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

Note: This will be added to your Portfolio.

10.6 Share

Share the activity you created or adapted in the group chat. Be sure you post an activity that you have not seen already in the group chat. Please post a brief message and attach a Word document, PDF, or PPT slides with your activity.

Example: Hi, Colleagues! I have a great activity for projects/cooperative activities in the language classroom. It is called ______. The purpose of this activity is to ____________. This activity is effective because ____________. See the three simple steps in my PPT slide for an example on how I use this activity.

Also consider answering these questions as you share your activity:

• What worked? Why?

• What recommendations can you give other teachers for implementing this task?

• What has worked for you to get ALL students involved in project work and/or cooperative tasks and not just a few students?

• How have you adapted a project or cooperative activity in order for all students to participate at their language proficiency level?

10.7 Apply

After you share an activity in the group chat, read through your colleagues' activities. Find at least one or two new activities in the group chat that you can use in your next class. Apply a new activity from this module in your next class. If it was a success, be sure to send a message and tell your colleague "Thank you!" and why it was effective.

10.8 Reflect

Write 1-2 paragraphs to reflect on Module 10 (300-500 words). You may use what you have created, shared, and applied in the previous tasks.

Note: This will be added to your Portfolio.