Collaborative: To work, one with another

Learning: The act or process of acquiring knowledge or skill

Collaborative Learning

Students work in groups, together in groups

Problem/task/project which reflect real-life scenarios

Solution must require skills, knowledge that is curriculum based

Something that couldn’t beachieved individually

Assessment of the task includes the process not just the project i.e. where students are asked to reflect on

their collaboration itself

What is Collaborative

Learning?

Learning is a social act where there is learning through talking and sharing

Learners think and compare their thinking to others in the group

They learn from each other and play a significant role in each other’s learning

Consensus rather than democracy

Learners are not just responsible for a portion of the work but the work as a whole

Problem Based and Situated Learning could easily incorporate Collaborative Learning

What is Collaborative

Learning?

Constructivist Social constructivist

Constructing knowledge

Active

Contextual

Shared understandings

Student centric

Teacher is facilitator rather than sole authority

Underpinning Learning

Theory

More ground is covered as they share ideas, resources and references

Still with room for specialisation

Greater learning –students take learning risks

Reduced absenteeism –group obligation

Fewer withdrawals –sense of belonging

Holistic and realistic –especially cross curricular

Benefits of Collaborative

Learning

Employability

Interpersonal skills

Higher order skills

Negotiating

Interpreting

Organising

Clarifying

Problem solving

Analysing

Critical thinking

Evaluation

Benefits of Collaborative

Learning

Active listening

Being non-judgemental

Adaptability

Cooperativeness

Inclusiveness

Confidence

Diminished fear of public speaking

Collaborative Learning

Promotes…

Group size

Task features

Differing time commitments, quality of work

Asymmetric collaboration

Managing group challenges / dynamics

Group organisation

Things to Be Mindful Of

Design Objectives

Activities

Resources

Assessment

Groups How many

How to group - self selected or not

Heterogeneous vs. Homogeneous

How often

Prepare students Clear instructions regarding design

Team work

Monitor

Feedback on progress

Group dynamics

ImplementingCollaborative

Learning

Portfolio and photographic is one of our units In the Diploma of specialised Makeup

Our Makeup students are required to produce 10 professional photographic shots for their portfolio

To achieve the photos the makeup artists have to collaborate with photographers and models

For the highest quality outcome to be achieved all parties organise meetings to ensure everyone is agreed upon the final result

All parties collectively work on

The style of shoot

Makeup and hair designs

Wardrobe/Costume/Props

Lighting effects

Studio times

Backdrops

Outcomes

“The act of working with another person or persons on a joint project in the act or process of acquiring

knowledge or skills.”

Collins English Dictionary

Combined definition of “collaboration” and “learning”

“The process of identifying previously acquired knowledge or skills from a process of using sight,

hearing, knowledge and action…”

Collins English Dictionary

Combined definition of “recognition”, “prior” and “learning”

Employee Groups / Individual

• Set their expectations on how well they are able to meet their personal needs

Business

• Set their expectations of staff and industry based on their need to survive, grow and profit

Industry

• Set their expectations of business and staff based on the industry as a whole

RPL Provider

• Set their expectations on what is required to assess candidates and achieve completions

Bring these groups together

Clearly identifying each others roles and objectives

Identifying the knowledge or skills required within the business

Planning a relevant skills recognition process to identify current knowledge and skills assets

Strategically plan training and development based on gap training and knowledge/skills requirements

Knowledge

Comprehension

Application

Collaborative Learning

Analysis

Synthesis

Evaluation

Skills Recognition

Blooms Taxonomy

Employee

Business

Industry

Industry collaborates with business and staff to develop

realistic standards and support learning outcomes

Employees meet skills recognition standards established between

industry and business and are recognised formally or gap training is provided so

that pathways are provided to meet skill

recognition standards and be formally recognised

Business collaborates with skills recognition

organisation to identify appropriate pathways to

achieve standards

Instant effects on all involved staff in the workplace project leading to learning outcomes have a rollover effect in the areas of:

Increased teamwork

Skills development - Analysis, evaluation and creation skills, critical thinking, problem-solving

Interpersonal and communication skills

Improved perception of business training and development

Involvement in ongoing personal and professional development activities

Self-esteem

Collaborative outcomes for employees through recognition of prior learning

Organisational collaborative learning outcomes would include:

Increased efficiency in strategic planning of training

Revised planning of staff and knowledge resources

Identification of current and required interpersonal relationship between staff and management leading to:

Increased productivity

Identification of human and knowledge resource capital

Succession planning and development

Collaborative outcomes for business through recognition of prior learning

Industry collaborative learning outcomes would include:

Identification of both organisational and frontline requirements to meet and supported industry standards

Foundation information of current skills and knowledge formally recognised in the marketplace

Analysis of future needs of industry members

Training and development pathways that are aligned with current cultural needs and expectations in the mature workforce

Collaborative outcomesfor industry through recognition of prior learning

“The act of working with another person, people or organisation on a joint project in the act or process of identifying previously

acquired knowledge and skills that shares and creates with all involved”

Collins English Dictionary

Based on the combined definition of

“collaboration”, “recognition”, “prior” and “learning”

For this activity your need to:

Draft a plan for your bridge design

Build your bridge using all the Lego pieces

Have no red pieces touching each other

Place the man on top of your bridge

Compare final construction to original design

Review the whole process

Collaborative Learning not only imparts skills and knowledge directly

related to the curriculum but also prepares students for future

collaborations in the workplace