Good Practice Database >> The Collaborative Classroom

LA	Rhondda Cynon Taf	School Name	Glynhafod Junior School

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What was the focus for improvement?
Our focus was to improve critical thinking skills in the collaborative classroom.

What did we do?
Introduced a variety of collaborative learning methodologies as exemplified in the attached files.
• I was explicit with the children in my class about the quality of group work that I wanted to achieve
• I made a checklist with the children and displayed it in the classroom
• I made spot checks or stopped the lesson and asked the children to carry out their own checks on the quality of their group work
• Every now and again I would spend a few minutes before the end of the lesson asking how much progress had been made by each group
• Set new targets

What were the outcomes?
Written outcomes include included mind maps and other written outcomes.

What evidence have we collected to demonstrate improvements?
A range of pupils’ work including:
Mind maps
Concept cartoons
Memory diagram

What have we learnt about teaching practice and pupils learning?
Using these collaborative learning techniques, teaching skills have certainly improved. Teaching has been developed with a stronger emphasis on facilitating learner activities. This emphasis on collaborative learning has improved motivation for pupils (see pupils’ views on attached files) and has been more satisfying for the teacher.

We have learned that pupils respond positively and achieve higher standards when given the opportunity to work collaboratively. It is however important to plan carefully and structure activities so that pupils are able to work together within a supportive framework.

What we aim to do next
We will continue to develop our teaching skills to enable pupils to work effectively as collaborative learners.

Supporting Documentation
1. Powerpoint presentation – The Collaborative Classroom. Autumn 2007 Link2Learn conference presentation
2.3 & 4. Mind Maps - examples of pupils' mind maps.


 

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