Need To Know: How Do I Foster Collaboration Online?
We surveyed teachers across our Network and continuing to foster collaboration in an online environment came up as the number one concern. Online teaching and learning presents us with many challenges, but we think it’s a very positive sign that teachers are raising collaboration as a priority. It’s a reflection of the great work happening right here in Australia as students become more active in their learning and teachers facilitate collaborative student-centred learning environments. We’re all missing that productive buzz in the classroom that leads to collaborative decision making and high quality evidence of learning.
How can we get something like this ‘buzz’ online? Watch the video to find out more.
To keep it simple, we’ve narrowed it down to three key elements that are vital in fostering collaboration:
New Tech’s LMS Echo has tools such as discussion forums and wikis. A link explaining how these work can be found below.
Use breakout rooms and online protocols.
Discussion boards
Why protocols?
In the context of online meetings, the use of protocols has never been more important
Protocols offer predetermined parameters for their discussions
Roles for active participation
Improved communication (student to student)
Improved individual and collective thinking (making learning visible)
Students can gain knowledge from their peers
Encourage reflection - a source of valuable feedback for the teacher
See examples of online protocols below.
Tips
Have students summarise their thinking in a way that is visible to others (e.g. Google Docs which students can add praise and suggestions to if you wish)
Accountability
You could have your students record a meeting and post a link
You could use the tool Equity Maps for tracking group meetings (link below)
Discussion Boards
We strongly encourage using a discussion board for your class. There are two tools that I have used myself and can recommend.
Padlet is a free-low cost option that enables you to conduct protocols such as Chalk-Talk with your class online, or collect Know and NTKs in post-it note form.
FlipGrid - powered by Microsoft is totally free and it’s very user-friendly for both students and teachers alike.
You can create a prompt and students upload a short video response
Student can give peer feedback to each other using the comments for ‘likes, wonders, and next steps’
Could also be used for reflections / formative assessment / end products as FlipGrids can also be shared with other classes of students (could be older students as experts) or external experts by making your Grid public.
We’d love to hear from you!
We’re collaborating across the network to share easily adaptable or ready-to-go resources for online teaching. If you have run a workshop to develop collaborative skills online or an online protocol, please share the resources you created in our Educator Toolkit for Online Learning.
The link to this and all the other resources I have mentioned, including the brilliant New Tech Practice cards with all the protocols, are below.
Resources
Distance and Blended Learning @ NTN
Available to New Tech Network Schools only. Please contact your School PBL Coach for a copy.
Now is a great time to think about how your teachers are fostering collaboration, critical thinking and communication in their classroom. Contact us for more information on how your students could benefit from a more engaging and meaningful approach to learning that is student-centred and connects students to the world beyond the classroom.