Topic 8
Strategies for Encouraging Group Collaboration
The Basics
Collaboration is working together for a common goal. In education, teachers, parents, students, and administration, work together to benefit the students. The most common type of collaboration lately has been special education teachers going into the general education classroom and working with their students in the classroom instead of pulling them out for services.
Also, in cooperative learning small groups provide a place where:
learners actively participate;
teachers become learners at times, and learners sometimes teach;
respect is given to every member;
projects and questions interest and challenge students;
diversity is celebrated, and all contributions are valued;
students learn skills for resolving conflicts when they arise;
members draw upon their past experience and knowledge;
goals are clearly identified and used as a guide;
research tools such as Internet access are made available;
students are invested in their own learning.
Strategies for Encouraging Group Collaboration
The Basics
Collaboration is working together for a common goal. In education, teachers, parents, students, and administration, work together to benefit the students. The most common type of collaboration lately has been special education teachers going into the general education classroom and working with their students in the classroom instead of pulling them out for services.
Also, in cooperative learning small groups provide a place where:
learners actively participate;
teachers become learners at times, and learners sometimes teach;
respect is given to every member;
projects and questions interest and challenge students;
diversity is celebrated, and all contributions are valued;
students learn skills for resolving conflicts when they arise;
members draw upon their past experience and knowledge;
goals are clearly identified and used as a guide;
research tools such as Internet access are made available;
students are invested in their own learning.
Federal Policies and Legislation
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that a continuum of placement options be available to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The law also requires that:
"to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities ... are educated with children who are not disabled, and that special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be attained satisfactorily." IDEA Sec. 612 (5)
One of the educational options, that is receiving increasing attention, is meeting the needs of students with disabilities in the regular classroom.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that a continuum of placement options be available to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The law also requires that:
"to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities ... are educated with children who are not disabled, and that special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of children with disabilities from the regular environment occurs only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be attained satisfactorily." IDEA Sec. 612 (5)
One of the educational options, that is receiving increasing attention, is meeting the needs of students with disabilities in the regular classroom.
Resource: http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content2/Including.Students.html
Terms to Know
Terms to Know
FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education; special education and related services provided in conformity with an IEP; are without charge; and meets standards of the SEA.
IFSP: Individualized Family Service Plan
LRE: Least Restrictive Environment; requirement to educate special needs children with children who are not disabled to the maximum extent possible.
Additional Resources
Characteristics of a Collaborative Classroom
1. Shared knowledge among teachers and students
2. Shared authority among teachers and students
3. Teachers as mediators
4. Heterogeneous groupings of students
Challenges of Collaboration
1. Classroom Control
2. Preparation Time
3. Individual Differences
4. Individual Responsibilities
5. Conflict of Values
References
http://www.arp.sprnet.org/admin/supt/collab2.htm
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/coopcollab/index.html
IFSP: Individualized Family Service Plan
LRE: Least Restrictive Environment; requirement to educate special needs children with children who are not disabled to the maximum extent possible.
Additional Resources
Characteristics of a Collaborative Classroom
1. Shared knowledge among teachers and students
2. Shared authority among teachers and students
3. Teachers as mediators
4. Heterogeneous groupings of students
Challenges of Collaboration
1. Classroom Control
2. Preparation Time
3. Individual Differences
4. Individual Responsibilities
5. Conflict of Values
References
http://www.arp.sprnet.org/admin/supt/collab2.htm
http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/coopcollab/index.html
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