STLinATL

Perhaps the most misused word in education is collaboration. What do we mean when we tell students they will be collaborating? More importantly, what do students do when we tell them they will be collaborating? Even more importantly, how are we modeling the benefits of collaboration to our students? Attend this interactive session to experience the benefits of collaboration (increased student engagement, improved learning, and facilitation of collective goals), explore the importance of collaboration in the higher education setting (reduced student isolation, diversity of learning), and consider ways to set students up for authentic collaboration (trust, norms, and significant work). The purpose of this session is twofold: to build knowledge regarding the importance, benefits, and outcomes of student collaboration; to increase the opportunity for incorporating student collaboration in current courses. The session presenters will facilitate interactive opportunities to build knowledge through experiencing the importance, benefits, and characteristics of authentic collaboration, such as discussion protocols, brainstorming, and providing peer feedback. Participants will engage in a self-assessment regarding their current use of student collaboration and, after considering opportunities for collaboration within current courses, create a goal for future collaborative student learning opportunities. Participants will leave with a heightened awareness of the importance of and the need for collaboration, practical strategies for incorporating student collaboration, and a plan for setting students up for authentic collaboration.