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Collaborative Learning Tips
Cooperative learning is a well-researched teaching strategy and results show that students who have opportunities to work collaboratively:
- Develop essential interpersonal life-skills
- Learn faster and more efficiently
- Have greater retention of course content
- Develop the ability to work collaboratively
- Feel more positive about the learning experience.
However, students cannot simply be put in groups and assigned to complete a project. There are very specific methods to assure the success of group work. Cooperative learning activities should be carefully structured so that students are held accountable for their individual contributions, participation and learning.
Additional Information:
- Walker, Jackie (1996) Cooperative Learning: Beneficial for Nursing Education?, Beginnings Journeys, 2.
- Facilitating Online Projects - Retrieved November 4, 2003 (link to University of Michigan)
Creating Group Spaces in Blackboard
- Click "control panel" and then click "manage groups"
- Click "add groups"
- Type group name and then check "group options"
- Scroll down and click "submit"
- Repeat steps for each group
Adding Students to Group Spaces in Blackboard
- Click "control panel" and then click "manage groups"
- Note your "empty" groups have already been created
- Click "modify" next the group #1 and then click "add users to group"
- Click the "search" button and a listing of students will appe
- Check the box to each student assigned to group #1
- Scroll down and click "submit"
- Repeat steps for each group
Creating Discussion Boards for Each Group Space
- Click "communication" and then click "group pages"
- Click the group and then click "discussion board"
- Click "add forum" and type name/description
- Repeat steps for each group
