Collaboration is a synchronized activity that is carried out by individuals who are struggling to explore a common solution for shared problems. However, cooperation is dividing the responsibilities between the participants to solve their individual problems assigned to them on their own, meaning to complete their own part of a team project. Think of these two concepts through a simple idea.
For instance, collaboration is an art that builds the ownership and agency of a team because of its teamwork and shared responsibility. This helps in shaping your own identity while being beneficial for the team. Cooperation, on the other hand, is a shared activity that establishes connections among colleagues. You can join or leave the group whenever you choose, and it will not affect the team’s output.
Through these basic ideas of both terms, I believe for the best results we fall into the collaboration category.
Transdisciplinary Collaboration
When it comes to collaboration, it is important to know that the knowledge and objectives/goals for the group to establish the groups “why”.
However, collaboration can also create certain challenges. Consider personality qualities and favorable attitudes towards transdisciplinary collaboration. This involves the common decisions and solutions that parties decide. The other factor involved in this collaboration is the condition of your workplaces such as time restraints with students or meeting constraints. Taking care of these factors can lead to successful and authentic collaboration amongst all educators.
Why is Collaborative Learning Important?
Students need different strategies to develop collaborative work strategies along with learning about creating a successful plan. Students always produce the best results when they are given the chance to be involved in the projects themselves. For this purpose, collaborative learning is an excellent approach to achieve student agency through student’s having the ability to choose. It encourages students to divide themselves and work in groups to work together on problems and come up with solutions. Collaborative learning is inclusive when it comes to working with a diverse student population.
Students learn about different cultures and backgrounds of the people around them and also learn to communicate with their group members while working to solve differences. The best part about it is that students can easily learn to trust each other and work together for a common goal. We always start with groupings with the statement, “Choose a partner that you can be successful with.” This usually gets my students thinking of what are the causes of success and what steers us away from success.
Why is Collaboration Important in Education?
Collaboration in schools boosts the productivity of everyone involved. Creating an inclusive environment where everyone’s thoughts and ideas are valued and heard. Implementing collaboration activities in various meetings is important because they increase learning for staff, as well as reduce their individual stress. This is due to having a community of learners to rely on and lean on when we are unsure of the process. Instead of fending for yourself when unsure. Schools that strive to make collaboration a focus have staff who are willing to try new strategies and lessons because it was built by the team as a whole, not just handed down to them.
You can summarize this simply that organized collaboration in schools can lead to happier teachers and students with more focus on learning together.
So how do you collaborate? What are some strategies that you have found successful for you in your situation? Share below!
Till next time,
Levi