[old] Collaboration - Strategy 1

Strategy 1: Build Shared Expectations with Group Norms

One way to strengthen communication is by establishing group norms. Clear expectations give students a shared framework for how to listen, respond, and contribute. Research suggests the following norms as helpful guidelines for effective collaborative learning:

• Pause before responding to another person.
• Paraphrase.
• Ask questions.
• Use data in discussions.
• Share new ideas.
• Pay attention to oneself and others.
• Assume everyone’s intentions are good.

Consider co-creating your classroom norms with students. When students help decide how they will work together, they feel a stronger sense of ownership and inclusion. Once norms are established, model what they look and sound like in action, and give students low-stakes opportunities to practice before applying them in more complex group work.

Let's see this strategy in practice with Ms. Roberts

To set her students up for success, Ms. Roberts asks each group to brainstorm one or two norms they believe will help everyone contribute during their project. Together, the class builds a shared list that includes ideas like “pause before responding” and “make sure everyone has a chance to speak.”

In Practice with Ms. Roberts

Next, Ms. Roberts models what these norms look and sound like. She invites a student volunteer to role-play a discussion with her. First, she shows what it looks like when someone talks over others, then she replays the moment – this time pausing, paraphrasing, and asking questions. The class reflects on the difference, then practices the same moves in a quick, low-stakes discussion about their favorite science experiments.

Image Credit: Allison Shelley for EDUimages