In this module, we learned how to take notes and how to be an active reader. Now is the time to practice these skills. Use the essay below to practice all of the following active reading skills:

1. SQ3R

2. Annotation

3. Summary

When you have finished actively reading the essay independently using SQ3R, annotating the essay on your own, and writing a brief summary without direct support, you should answer the questions at the end of the essay. Alternatively, you may use the guided SQ3R, annotation and summary assignments after the questions if you don't yet feel confident independently practicing these skills.

The Power of Collaboration in Problem-Solving

Imagine being assigned a group project and feeling a sense of dread. Collaboration might not seem appealing at first—it’s often easier to think, “I’ll just handle it myself.” Working alone means avoiding disagreements, slower group processes, or the worry that your ideas won’t be valued. But collaboration isn’t about ease or comfort. It’s about pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and achieving outcomes that wouldn’t be possible alone. Adopting a growth mindset is crucial to seeing collaboration’s true value.

Consider a puzzle with missing pieces. No matter how much effort you put in, the picture remains incomplete unless others contribute their pieces. Collaboration works the same way: by combining unique perspectives, skills, and knowledge, teams achieve what individuals cannot.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of success in college and beyond. A 2014 Stanford study found that individuals working collaboratively are 50% more effective at completing tasks. They are also more intrinsically motivated and engaged with their work ("Four Benefits"). Teams engaging in collaborative problem-solving report higher productivity and satisfaction compared to working alone. This process of sharing ideas and challenging one another’s thinking, often referred to as collective intelligence, generates innovative solutions.

Despite its benefits, collaboration can feel intimidating, especially if you’re unsure of your ideas or hesitant to share. Speaking up might seem risky, but your perspective—whether it’s a creative suggestion, a quiet observation, or a thoughtful question—could be the key to unlocking the group’s success. 

Effective collaboration requires active participation from all members. Listening is as critical as speaking. By listening attentively, you gain insights into others’ perspectives and foster trust, creating a space where everyone feels comfortable contributing. Clear communication further ensures that ideas are understood and valued. Simple phrases like “That’s an interesting idea—can you elaborate?” encourage deeper discussion and mutual respect.

Collaboration is not without its challenges. Disagreements, varying work styles, or uneven contributions can arise. However, these obstacles provide opportunities to develop compromise, patience, and leadership skills. When approached respectfully and with a focus on shared goals, challenges can transform into strengths that enhance the group’s overall performance.

The hardest part of collaboration is often taking the first step—engaging with others. This requires stepping outside your comfort zone and trusting the process. Collaboration doesn’t demand perfection or omniscience; it’s about offering your unique contributions and recognizing the power of collective effort. Together, you can create something far greater than any individual could achieve alone.

As you continue in your academic career, you will be given the chance to work with your peers. This is your chance to share your perspective, listen to others, and experience the synergy of teamwork. By the end, you might discover that the process of working together is just as rewarding as the solution itself.

Author: Written in Collaboration with ChatGPT, OpenAI

This essay was created with the assistance of ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI, tailored to support educational activities.

Works Cited

“Four Benefits to In-Person Collaboration and How to Nurture It.” Density, 2024, https://www.density.io/resources/four-benefits-to-in-person-collaboration-and-how-to-nurture-it#:~:text=A%202014%20Stanford%20study%20found,more%20engaged%20with%20their%20work.  

Reading Questions

1. • 1. What are some challenges of collaboration mentioned in the essay?

     2. How does the essay suggest overcoming these challenges to make collaboration successful?

     3. According to the essay, why is listening just as important as speaking in a collaborative setting?

     4. Provide examples of how clear communication can enhance teamwork, based on the essay’s suggestions.

     5. Define collective intelligence as used in the essay. How does it contribute to problem-solving?

     6. What findings from the 2014 Stanford study are presented in the essay? How do they support the importance of collaboration?

     7. What analogy does the essay use to explain the concept of collaboration, and why is it effective?

Personal Reflection Questions

1. 1. 1. Have you ever experienced a group project where collaboration worked well? What made it successful?

      2. Share a time when collaboration was challenging. How could the strategies in the essay have helped?

      3. The essay suggests that adopting a growth mindset is key to valuing collaboration. What does a growth mindset look like in a group project?

      4. How can students and professors collaborate to enhance student learning?

      5. How do the skills developed through collaboration (e.g., listening, compromise, leadership) apply to life beyond college?

      6. Can you think of a career or field where collaboration is particularly essential? Why?

Guided Skills Practice

 Practice SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review)

Fill-in-the-blanks before reading and as you read:

• Survey: Before reading the article, you should first look at the title and headings. 

What is the article about? ___________________________________________________________________________

What are some important clues you noticed while skimming? ______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Question: After surveying the article, create two questions that you think you want to answer after reading: 

1. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Read: Read the article carefully and underline any ideas or sentences that answer your questions.

• Recite: After reading, summarize the main idea of the article in one sentence: 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Review: Review the article again and answer your questions in full sentences. 

1. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Practice Annotating the Text

1. Re-read paragraph 3 from the article and underline the main idea. Next to the passage in the margin, write a short note or question that summarizes your understanding or question something you are curious about.

2. Repeat this for paragraphs 5 and 7. 

3. What did you learn from these paragraphs by annotating them and looking at them more closely? 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Practice Summarizing

In your own words, retell the big ideas in the article using 3-4 sentences. Answer these questions to help you create a retelling of the ideas: What is this essay trying to teach us overall about collaboration? What are some of the key examples or support points they use to clarify this bigger idea?

Practice Using Context Clues for Challenging Vocabulary

After reading each word and sentence below, choose the best synonym or definition of the word from the article. After you've chosen the definition, look up the word to see if you are correct.

1. Word: Intrinsic (from the article)

Clue from the sentence: "They are also more intrinsically motivated and engaged with their work."

What do you think intrinsic means based on this sentence?

o A. Outward motivation

o B. Inner motivation

o C. Forced involvement

o D. Uninterested participation

2. Word: Synergy (from the article)

Clue from the sentence: "By the end, you might discover that the process of working together is just as rewarding as the solution itself."

Which of the following is a synonym for synergy based on this sentence?

o A. Conflict

o B. Cooperation

o C. Independence

o D. Isolation

3. Word: Omniscience (from the article)

Clue from the sentence: "Collaboration doesn’t demand perfection or omniscience..."

What does omniscience mean?

o A. Knowledge of everything

o B. Ability to work alone

o C. A type of teamwork

o D. Interest in only your ideas

Click here to continue to M1.6 Review