How can I create collaborative learning opportunities and facilitate group work?
Learning in groups takes place in so many ways from the simple short in-class activity to the semester long project. Instructors will want to consider simple replacements for in class group activities, such as posting examples to group discussion forums. For semester long projects, instructors may consider setting up Oncourse CL project sites for each team. Key considerations include expected time duration of the activity, types of resources needed to complete the activity, and extent of expected communication among group members. As with in class activities, communicating learning objectives and concrete goals will help students focus on the outcomes. However, in a classroom, instructors can circulate and provide live feedback on group progress. The way instructors check student progress will likely change if activities and deliverables, such as team presentations, must be moved outside the classroom. Instructors may consider using discussions to bring groups back together as a class
