Teaching Resources

Collaborative Learning

Tags/Keywords
cooperative learning wikis
	team-based learning
group activities

Overview
Research has shown that, regardless of what students are learning about, they learn more of what is taught and retain the material for longer if they work in small groups. Three general types of group work have been identified. Informal learning groups are groups that are temporary and usually used to discuss a question or solve a problem in a short amount of time (usually just a few minutes). Formal learning groups are put together to accomplish a task such as a lab experiment or a group project. The task may be completed in one class period or may take several class periods to complete. Study teams are groups that are together for long periods of time, usually a whole semester. Members of these groups assist each other in completing course assignments. No matter which type of group fits your class best, collaborative learning is often a helpful technique in involving students in the class getting them interested in the material (Davis, B.G. Tools for Teaching).

MTSU Resources

LTITC Resources

From our library--

Barkley, E.F. Cross, K.P., & Major-Howell, C. (2005). Collaborative learning techniques: A handbook for college faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Johnson, D.W., Johnson, R.T., & Smith, K.A. (1991). Cooperative learning: Increasing college faculty instructional productivity. Washington, DC: The George Washington University Press.

McManus, D.A. (2005). Leaving the lectern: Cooperative learning and the critical first days of students working in groups. Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing.

Michaelsen, L., Fink, L.D., & Knight, A.B. (1997). Designing effective group activities: Lessons for classroom teaching and faculty development. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.

Michaelsen, L., Fink, L.D., & Knight, A.B. (2004). Team-based learning: A transformative use of small groups in college teaching. Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing.

Teaching Tip

Online Resources: Tips and Strategies

Online Publications: Viewpoints, Articles, Books...

Writing Collaboratively Online Wiki
Collaborative Statistics Online Textbook
Online Collaborative Writing and the Chat of Mankind
EduCause Quarterly- Learning Spaces Designed for Collaborative Learning