Educational facilities are always promoting collaborative work among students, but they rarely encourage teachers to do the same. Students from kindergarten to high school are asked to work with others because it exposes them to new ideas and helps promote Common Core State Standards by getting them ready for future job environments. Instructors can use this type of cooperative environment as well by teaming up with co-workers to improve classroom settings.
According to a recent survey mentioned in THE Journal, 90 percent of teachers said the collaborative instructional teams they worked on were beneficial for improving student learning. Collegial discussions on education techniques and methods can enhance learning because teachers can implement refined classroom practices. Working with others is also a way for teachers to grow because they can continue to develop their skills and knowledge.
How is teacher collaboration accomplished?
Getting teachers to work together may sound like an easy task, but when personalities or leadership roles clash, problems and arguments can occur. Collaboration is supposed to create a productive environment, but altercations can ruin that process. So, set goals and guidelines for individual teams to encourage constructive efforts.
HotChalk Education Network notes that conflicting ideas can breed growth, but this can only be accomplished if everyone remains open to new ideas. Always respect one another's opinions and acknowledge that all instructional methods are valid options, but explain why another teaching approach might work better. Implement teacher collaboration in a variety of ways, such as by setting aside 15 minutes each day after classes to meet with colleagues to discuss what worked for a lesson and what didn't. Another option is to use technology, such as Skype or Google Docs to share ideas. Using these last couple options can be tricky though, because it's easy for someone on the team to stop contributing to the discussion.
Edutopia suggests taking a few steps to get the most out of teacher collaboration, including:
- Build relationships: Discussing struggles and asking for advice can be a lot easier when instructors know more about one another and are comfortable having a normal discussion. So, work to build relationships with fellow colleagues and meetings will run more smoothly.
- Observe the best: Everyone can use improvement in at least one aspect of a job. Teachers should work to discover where their own weaknesses are and then shadow a fellow instructor who excels in that area for an hour. Take notes on what works and how it can be implemented in a classroom.
- Come prepared: During team meetings, instructors should be prepared to ask questions and share classroom experiences. This will make the time more productive and will help people focus on specific areas that can use improvement.
No comments yet.