Collaboration Tools
Why is collaboration important?
1. Developing social skills
Collaborative learning makes students with different backgrounds, race, or up bringing, to work together. They come together in a setting that maybe would not be possible if it were not for collaborative learning. In order to solve a project’s given problem, children need to communicate. They are able to hear different opinions and learn more about different cultures. The collaborative learning methodology is ideal for children that have difficulties in a social setting.
2. Learn from peers
Generally, people have different skills, passions, and knowledge. In a small collaborative group, when a question is raised, different students can have different answers and children can learn new things from one another, but also understand different perspectives.
3. Build trust
In order to achieve a goal, students need to work together. They can work together without trusting each other, but for an effective collaboration and to reach a common goal, they need to learn to trust each other.
4. Engage in learning
In a small group setting, each student has the opportunity to express her or his ideas. Being able to do so, and being heard can give the feeling of importance and value. The learning experience becomes more fun, and students are eager to learn more.
5. Gain confidence
As students work as a team, they also receive more support, therefore gain confidence. Collaborative learning can help shy students express themselves more.
Collaborative learning makes students with different backgrounds, race, or up bringing, to work together. They come together in a setting that maybe would not be possible if it were not for collaborative learning. In order to solve a project’s given problem, children need to communicate. They are able to hear different opinions and learn more about different cultures. The collaborative learning methodology is ideal for children that have difficulties in a social setting.
2. Learn from peers
Generally, people have different skills, passions, and knowledge. In a small collaborative group, when a question is raised, different students can have different answers and children can learn new things from one another, but also understand different perspectives.
3. Build trust
In order to achieve a goal, students need to work together. They can work together without trusting each other, but for an effective collaboration and to reach a common goal, they need to learn to trust each other.
4. Engage in learning
In a small group setting, each student has the opportunity to express her or his ideas. Being able to do so, and being heard can give the feeling of importance and value. The learning experience becomes more fun, and students are eager to learn more.
5. Gain confidence
As students work as a team, they also receive more support, therefore gain confidence. Collaborative learning can help shy students express themselves more.
Tools you can use to collaborate
MindMeister - a graphic organizer tool. This is great for brainstorming, collaborating, outlining, and planning. It can also be used as a presenting tool.
Learn how to use MindMeister by watching this video
Coggle - another graphic organizer tool. Students like the ease of use and look of this tool...great for collaborating, organizing, analyzing. I use this a lot with my 4th and 5th graders. It is their "go to" tool when we do research or brainstorm.
Learn how to use Coggle by watching this video
Bubbl.us - this is a tool that has been around for a long time. It is simple...think of thought bubbles that many people can create and edit.
Jamboard - this Google tool was designed for the Google Jamboard hardware. It allows you to collaborate using sticky notes, images or drawing pens. This tool is best used on interactive whiteboards or iPads, however, it does work on computers and chromebooks as well.
Learn how to use Jamboard by watching this video
Simple K-12 is doing a Webinar on Jamboard...if you are interested, go here.
Google Keep - Note taking tool that lets you include images, text and drawing. You can copy your note to Google Docs so great for pre-writing or brainstorming.
Watch this video to see Google Keep in action
YoTeach - backchannel web app where teachers create and moderate chat rooms for real-time digital interaction among students. Students can interact with the teacher and each other by sharing text messages, replying to others' posts, voting, responding to polls, sharing and annotating pictures, and submitting drawings.
Watch this video to learn more about YoTeach
Padlet - a digital bulletin board. This allows you to share a bulletin board and your students to add sticky notes. This is great for feedback, gathering background information, and brainstorming.
Watch this video on promoting student collaboration with Padlet
*If you decide to create a Padlet account, which I recommend, please use this link - https://padlet.com/referrals/caskeyd.
Mural - this tool is similar to Padlet in that you use sticky notes to create content, but that is where the similarities end. Mural is great for real-time collaboration and teachers can use templates to make the collaborative process go smoothly.
Lino - again, similar to Padlet with a few less options. It is the perfect tool if you have a "spur of the moment" thought for you or your students collaborating.
Other Collaboration Tools to Explore:
Learn how to use MindMeister by watching this video
Coggle - another graphic organizer tool. Students like the ease of use and look of this tool...great for collaborating, organizing, analyzing. I use this a lot with my 4th and 5th graders. It is their "go to" tool when we do research or brainstorm.
Learn how to use Coggle by watching this video
Bubbl.us - this is a tool that has been around for a long time. It is simple...think of thought bubbles that many people can create and edit.
Jamboard - this Google tool was designed for the Google Jamboard hardware. It allows you to collaborate using sticky notes, images or drawing pens. This tool is best used on interactive whiteboards or iPads, however, it does work on computers and chromebooks as well.
Learn how to use Jamboard by watching this video
Simple K-12 is doing a Webinar on Jamboard...if you are interested, go here.
Google Keep - Note taking tool that lets you include images, text and drawing. You can copy your note to Google Docs so great for pre-writing or brainstorming.
Watch this video to see Google Keep in action
YoTeach - backchannel web app where teachers create and moderate chat rooms for real-time digital interaction among students. Students can interact with the teacher and each other by sharing text messages, replying to others' posts, voting, responding to polls, sharing and annotating pictures, and submitting drawings.
Watch this video to learn more about YoTeach
Padlet - a digital bulletin board. This allows you to share a bulletin board and your students to add sticky notes. This is great for feedback, gathering background information, and brainstorming.
Watch this video on promoting student collaboration with Padlet
*If you decide to create a Padlet account, which I recommend, please use this link - https://padlet.com/referrals/caskeyd.
Mural - this tool is similar to Padlet in that you use sticky notes to create content, but that is where the similarities end. Mural is great for real-time collaboration and teachers can use templates to make the collaborative process go smoothly.
Lino - again, similar to Padlet with a few less options. It is the perfect tool if you have a "spur of the moment" thought for you or your students collaborating.
Other Collaboration Tools to Explore: