“Collaboration is important not just because it’s a better way to learn. The spirit of collaboration is penetrating every institution and all of our lives. So learning to collaborate is part of equipping yourself for effectiveness, problem-solving, innovation, and lifelong learning in an ever-changing networked economy.” – Don Tapscott.
Collaboration skills among students refer to the skills which are developed when learners work together, listen and share information to accomplish the common planned goals. The collaborative approach help learners to possess many other traits as well which are mentioned below.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Teamwork and leadership qualities.
- effective communication and public speaking.
- Better critical thinking and problem-solving.
- Excellence in academics and future jobs etc.
Importance of collaboration skills
- Collaboration helps learners in developing good interpersonal skills. Today this trait is highly required in the professional sector. Better the collaboration approach and interpersonal skills more the success rate of the individuals. By building strong connections with others, achieving common goals becomes easy. Also, the communication and work efficiency is increased.
- Collaboration improves problem-solving. The complicated work which cannot be solved by a single person can be resolved by a group of people by effective exchange of views and ideas. Good problem-solving skills are must possess. The students who are collaboration friendly can easily connect with others to solve problems. Combining knowledge to achieve goals and resolve problems can be achieved by this.
- Better retention of information can be achieved among the learners by collaboration technique. When we see and talk in front of the mirror, we understand better. Similarly, by talking, sharing, and listening to other learners, comprehension and information retention are improved to a great extent. By receiving knowledge from other students of the same age, we can understand better. This also increases the academic performance and results of the students.
- Collaboration improves productivity among the students. Not everything can be completed individually. Some work and tasks demand collaboration. Also, collaborative learning helps students to understand better. With a good understanding of working efficiency and productivity of the students is improved very much. The shared or common goals become easy to accomplish with highly productive and collaborative skills.
- Not only this, but collaboration helps students to achieve great success in future jobs and careers. With collaborative skills, students also develop several other traits which are active listening, leadership qualities, teamwork, group discussions, and active speaking. All these traits are highly required for professionalism. If students will participate in collaboration from learning itself, they will be effectively trained for the future.
Enhance collaboration in online learners: 3 tips
Our online teaching India is growing rapidly. Now numerous teachers and students all across the globe are using e-learning for imparting and receiving education. Including collaboration techniques in academics online, must be practiced by all the teachers. Let us discuss the techniques that teachers can use for enhancing collaboration among learners along with using an effective LMS in online classes.
- Start rewarding
Sometimes students don’t collaborate willingly but a little push or rewards can promote collaboration among the learners. Often we have seen that few students are very active and perform well in group activities while others are not quick and enthusiastic in this process. A Reward system can help in this regard.
- Best performers of the week: among the collaborative activities conducted by the teachers for the students, select the best group of performers. This will not only be helpful for the active performers but will motivate the others to participate more.
- Certificates and batches: giving students batches and certificates as per their collaborative performance can be a part of the reward system. All the students want to wear these batches and feel appreciated.
- Appreciation: vocally appreciating the students is very helpful. Appreciate the ones who did best and also encourage others to continue their hard work for collaboration activities among one another.
- Pairing and sharing
To make online teaching India successful this collaborative technique is helpful. Divide the whole class into a few small groups. By pairing the students in these groups, assign them some interesting topics on which they can discuss and share their views and opinions. Also, other than discussing random topics, teachers can include other activities as well. For example, project making, designing projects, solving quizzes and riddles, and much more. These activities can be done on the spot or teachers can also give time for preparing and completing them.
- Collaboration with the help of assessment
Students take assessment seriously. So why not use assessment for developing student collaboration in the online classrooms. When this will become a matter of marks and grades, all students will actively engage in listening and interacting with one another. Presentations, group discussions, debates, events, and recitations can help in this regard. Also, teachers can use LMS software to maintain records of the student’s performances in these collaborating assessments.
Conclusion
To enhance the teaching and learning rate in education, collaboration techniques must be practiced. From academic success to achieving success in jobs and careers, all students should learn collaboration skills. Teachers can play an important role in this. By following the above-mentioned techniques, teachers can inculcate collaborative learning in the classrooms. By this excellence in both teaching and learning will be achieved.
