Collaborative Learning Projects for the Classroom

Problem-centered learning puts the student at the center of the classroom.

Collaborative learning is a method of learning that puts emphasis on group work as a means of gaining knowledge. The group work involved in collaborative learning varies and can be either short, being completed in the time available in one class, or long, stretching over multiple classes. There are four main types of collaborative learning from which projects may be based: simulations, guided design, cooperative learning and problem-centered learning.

Role Playing

Role playing allow students to take on specific roles to play within a group setting. These role plays have the main purpose of allowing the students to become personally involved in a situation in which learning is to take place. A role playing project may include assigning students to roles and groups along with a problem that must be resolved. For example, when teaching legislative decision-making processes, assign students into groups of voters along with a list of political decisions to be reached. These voters must choose a method of voting that will be fair to all voters. Let the students work without interference until all decisions have been reached. Afterward, discuss how they reached their decisions and how fair they felt their decisions were.

Guided Design

Guided design is a highly structured method of collaborative learning. In guided design, the teacher helps groups as they work. At the beginning of such a project, the teacher states a problem to be solved by the groups of students. However, this problem is a multipart problem and groups must complete it by moving through a series of steps. After progressing through each step, the groups receive feedback from the teacher. An example of this is assigning groups a single, difficult math problem that must be solved in a linear fashion. The teacher can write the steps on the board and ask students to stop whenever their group has completed a step. When a group stops, the teacher can elicit the method of passing that step and give further suggestions on how to improve their methods.

Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is a form of collaborative learning that relies on group cohesion. In cooperative learning, groups are highly organized because each student in a group has a specific role or responsibility. Projects of this sort first assign a specific duty needed for carrying out a task to each student in a group . For example, in a speech class, a teacher may employ cooperative learning by requiring groups to prepare a speech on a new topic. Each group of three is given the roles of speaker, writer and researcher to distribute among the members. ITo successfully complete the task, the group must act as one.

Problem-Centered Learning

In problem-centered learning, instead of lecturing, the teacher presents problems to the students and elicits responses on how to solve these problems. This forces students to become thinkers instead of listeners. One example for a math project is to write a mathematical theorem on the board and follow by giving its proof. After confirming students understood the overall idea of the proof, erase the proof. Assign students into groups and give them the task of recreating the proof.

References

• "Collaborative Learning: Methodology, Types of Interactions and Techniques"; Luzzatto and DiMarco; 2010