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Collaborative learning

Collaborative learning, including group work, provides an environment in which learners can feel secure and play an active role. Co-operative learning means much more than learners working in groups. It is a powerful tool that can be used in the classroom or workplace, and indeed, in cyberspace, where virtual teams can learn together. Co-operative learning, with its emphasis on learners working in diverse groups, also helps overcome challenges and promotes equality and diversity.

As you watch the Co-operative learning video, consider the following:

• What are the strengths of this approach?
• What are its key features?
• Which features of co-operative learning are similar to those of the workplace?

The resources here can support teacher education or professional development programmes that aim to take collaborative or group work to a new level. Co-operative learning and peer review are powerful and complementary strategies that can make a significant impact on the learner experience.

Collaborative learning works for teachers too. While teachers can, and will, work alone, engaging with other professionals brings a new dimension to professional development, making it more interesting and insightful. Consider, for example, how teachers and learners benefit from planning and working with other specialist colleagues to embed literacy, language or ICT into subject or vocational learning.

Use the resources illustrating how teachers can work collaboratively to consider:

• what these teachers gained from the experience
• who you might work with, for example, subject colleagues, your Subject Learning Coach or Advanced Learning Coach, or an Advanced Practitioner.

For more information and resources, look at:

• Managing groups
• Using discussion
• Learning to be reflective

Resources for teacher educators

 - Getting the most out of these resources

• Co-operative learning - Info 
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  Co-operative learning video - Quicktime Windows Media Player 
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  Co-operative learning toolkit: Exemplified for IT - Web 
• Quick start guide: Co-operative learning - Info 
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  Quick start guide: Co-operative learning - PDF Word 
• Collaboration: Teachers’ perspective - Info 
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  Collaboration: Teachers’ perspective - Quicktime Windows Media Player 
• Subject Learning Coaches - Info 
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  Subject Learning Coaches - Quicktime Windows Media Player 
• Embedding the cross-curricular themes - Info 
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  Curriculum planning flowchart - PDF 

Technical information

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