BACK TO PROJECT BASED LEARNING BLOGS
By: Ryan Steuer, CEO
Magnify Learning
Dallas, TX
@ryansteuer
In our graphic showing the top pillars of Project Based Learning, collaboration is listed on the top right. Collaboration is crucial for our learners to have as a tool in their toolbag before they leave our schools because employers consistently list collaboration in their top 5 needed employability skills. Solid collaboration skills can set our PBL learners apart from the rest of the crowd.
Collaboration is not merely an educational buzzword but a foundational element that can significantly enhance the learning experience. By making collaboration a priority, you can weave collaboration into your classroom along with your standards, presentations, and workshops. When you bring in collaboration, you are preparing your learners for the multifaceted challenges of the real world.
Collaboration is likely not one of your academic standards, so YOU have to create the importance of establishing collaboration as a core value in your classroom. By doing so, you set the stage for a learning environment where students are encouraged to work together, share insights, and contribute to collective creation. Collaboration in PBL not only empowers your learners but also mirrors the collaborative nature of the professional world, making it an indispensable skill for students to master.
Collaborative strategies in project-based settings are designed to stress the significance of recognizing diverse personality styles, which can lead to more effective team dynamics. The idea is to understand that each learner brings a unique set of strengths to the table, and acknowledging these differences can lead to more empathetic and productive group work.
Teacher collaboration is key to learner collaboration. The level of your learner collaboration will top out at the level of your adult collaboration. By modeling teamwork, educators not only preach but also practice the very principles they aim to instill in their students. This demonstration of collaborative effort amongst teachers serves as a powerful example for students, illustrating the value and impact of working together toward a better outcome.
Let me give you an example. When I was teaching 8th grade English traditionally, I would teach parallelism through the Declaration of Independence. To give my learners context, I would try to learn and teach about the background events of the Declaration of Independence. While this was helpful in some respects, I am not a trained history teacher in any way, so I likely included some errors and a limited view.
One day one of my students said, “Hey Mr. Steuer, this sounds like the history stuff Mr. Smoltz is teaching.” Mr. Smoltz taught history in the classroom right next to mine. It turns out Mr. Smoltz was teaching the Declaration of Independence right next door at the same time I was trying to teach parallelism AND the Declaration of Independence. It didn’t take long for my lightning fast mind to say, “What if Mr. Smoltz and I collaborate? He can teach the Declaration of Independence since that is his expertise, and I can teach parallelism since that is my expertise.”
This was an early collaboration for me, but it perfectly illustrates an in-road to facilitator collaboration. Find areas where your content area overlaps with another content area. Mr. Smoltz and I found out that he was requiring students to write essays. If I teach students how to write an essay before he asks them to write an essay, there is a good chance his essays will be of higher quality. It seems like such a ‘duh?!?!’ moment as I write it now, but it was an eye-opening experience at the time. All of us (me, Mr. Smoltz, our students) benefited from our collaboration.
One word of warning, collaboration does need to be taught rather than expecting it to develop naturally. This involves creating opportunities for students to engage in group work, establishing clear roles and responsibilities, and providing guidance on navigating group dynamics and conflict resolution. Group contracts can be a great tool for teaching and managing collaboration. Your group contracts don’t have to be perfect. Even the act of creating a group contract can help you figure out what you value in collaboration. If you are looking for more examples or help with group contracts, you can join the PBL Movement Online Community. We have full courses on collaboration and group contract building.
Collaborative PBL strategies not only save time but also showcase the interconnectedness of various subjects, mirroring the collaborative nature of the real world.
Start a collaborative conversation today!
I’m Ryan Steuer – author and thought leader who specializes in Project Based Learning training, coaching, community, and content to help educational leaders fulfill their vision of deeper learning in their schools. I’ve worked with leaders in school districts of all sizes, from 400 students to 100,000 students. These visionary leaders care about their students, but they are often stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed with the work ahead of them. That’s where I come in! I help leaders achieve their PBL vision, lead their staff, AND stop working weekends.
When I’m not guiding school leaders through Project Based Learning mindset shifts, I am outdoors with my wife and 5 kids - canoeing, hiking, biking, and traveling the US in our RV.
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