Blog 3-Collaboration

Collaboration is an essential part of PBL as well as a life skill, but it is one of the MOST difficult skills to instill in students.  After reading both blog posts, the three most important elements are:  teaching collaboration, group contracts, individual and team task.   First, teaching collaboration is something I do starting the first week of school.  We create anchor charts about group work, provide numerous opportunities for group work involving different types of activities, and discuss what we liked and would want to change.  I believe providing these opportunities from day one, and setting specific expectations has been one reason collaboration is successful within my classroom.  I can’t say that it always goes smoothly, or that everyone gets along, but with each opportunity students are learning how to work with others.  Group contracts is another element I find important.  This is something that I have never done in my personal classroom, but I feel these could take my existing collaboration opportunities to the next level.  I feel the accountability factor of these contracts could help motivate some students.  The last element I found to be important is individual and team task.  In a recent PBL, I have put this practice to use and have been amazed at the outcome.  Students are working together to research information and develop ideas, but they are each responsible for carrying out a certain task.  This has allowed me to see the students who may need extra support/motivation.  I hope to include all of these elements in my next PBL unit.