In a successful collaborative experience, students work together to build common knowledge and find a joint solution to a task. When the task is too easy, the cost of collaboration—such as the amount of time it takes to coordinate group efforts —can sometimes outweigh the benefits. Conversely, if the task is too hard, it can increase cognitive load, making it difficult for students to manage group dynamics, develop their individual contribution, and stay engaged in the task.
To make the best use of your time, be intentional about the tasks you select for collaboration. Collaborative tasks should be complex, requiring multiple students to think together and use higher order thinking to accomplish the goal. The complexity of the collaborative learning task should match the complexity of the learning objective. For example, if the learning objective is to “understand the impact of water shortages on communities,” tasks requiring students to recall or recite facts about water management will not effectively achieve this goal. To “understand,” students need to think critically, analyze water usage data and pollution levels, and evaluate potential water conservation and purification methods. Instead of simply reading about water shortages and memorizing facts, students work together to create a plan to address the problem. This approach allows students to engage in an authentic learning experience where knowledge is not just co-constructed, but also applied.
For a collaborative task to work well, it’s not just about a student taking responsibility for their own work—it’s about how their success connects to the success of the whole group. This “positive interdependence” increases the likelihood that students will actively participate in the group.
Though it may seem effective and efficient, placing students in random groups does not always yield productive collaborations. Students need more structure and support to effectively engage in collaborative activities. Be mindful about the strategies you use to group students.
Clearly communicate the expectations and desired outcomes for the activity. Assign roles with predefined responsibilities (such as explorer/recorder or questioner/summarizer) to help students learn new skills and contribute to their groups in different ways.
Sharing responsibility fosters a sense of accountability among students. Integrate accountability structures such as rubrics or structured prompts to help learners voice their ideas and opinions and have purposeful discussion with their peers. Help students manage time by chunking or scaffolding the activity into distinct stages. This support helps students focus their attention, stay on track, and improve their productivity as they collaborate while keeping them from becoming overwhelmed.
Students are more engaged and motivated when they have some ownership over their learning experiences, including how they demonstrate their learning and who is involved in their learning process. Give students ownership over their own learning by providing choice boards and learning menus that cater to different strengths and interests. By offering students opportunities to shape their learning experience, you can build trust, show that you value their choices, and motivate both partners to engage in learning.
Start small. Begin by limiting choices to build confidence and accountability; as trust grows, you can gradually expand options. To ensure clarity and consistency, set clear parameters for each choice with well-defined expectations and provide check-ins and feedback to keep students on track. In addition, highlight students’ diverse contributions by creating structured opportunities for them to showcase their work (such as gallery walks). By doing so, you build trust in the learning community and reinforce the idea that every student’s voice is valued.
Collaborative environments can have positive impacts on classrooms—just ask students. Recent conversations with middle schoolers attending Atlanta Public Schools, a Verizon Innovative Learning School District, revealed that students enjoy collaborative learning.
“Having brain breaks and working with other students is really important because it helps us relax and reset so we can focus better. Instead of just sitting there bored, not understanding, we can work together, share ideas, or even play games during breaks to recharge.”
“Collaboration with other students makes things less stressful because you have shared tasks, and you can rely on each other to get things done. If you pick the right person, you know they’ll do their part, and you’ll do yours.”
Students shared that working together in groups helps them feel more relaxed and focused. They appreciate opportunities to share ideas, work together, and even play games during breaks, which makes learning more enjoyable and less stressful.
“I worked on a project with a friend who I’ve known since sixth grade, so we worked really well together. It was fun because he understood me and matched my energy when it came to getting things done.”
Working in groups isn’t just about academics; it’s a powerful tool for building friendships and reducing feelings of isolation. Many students report that collaboration makes it easier to form bonds and connect with peers.
“In my dream classroom, I would have a place to work with friends and talk to each other. The teacher would make sure we feel comfortable. When we can connect with others and have fun while learning, it helps us do our best.”
Collaborative learning allows students to share ideas with friends, making it easier to understand new concepts and solve problems together. It also helps them feel more comfortable in class, which can boost their confidence and make learning more enjoyable.
“Having brain breaks and working with other students is really important because it helps us relax and reset so we can focus better. Instead of just sitting there bored, not understanding, we can work together, share ideas, or even play games during breaks to recharge.”
“Collaboration with other students makes things less stressful because you have shared tasks, and you can rely on each other to get things done. If you pick the right person, you know they’ll do their part, and you’ll do yours.”
Students shared that working together in groups helps them feel more relaxed and focused. They appreciate opportunities to share ideas, work together, and even play games during breaks, which makes learning more enjoyable and less stressful.
“I worked on a project with a friend who I’ve known since sixth grade, so we worked really well together. It was fun because he understood me and matched my energy when it came to getting things done.”
Working in groups isn’t just about academics; it’s a powerful tool for building friendships and reducing feelings of isolation. Many students report that collaboration makes it easier to form bonds and connect with peers.
“In my dream classroom, I would have a place to work with friends and talk to each other. The teacher would make sure we feel comfortable. When we can connect with others and have fun while learning, it helps us do our best.”
Collaborative learning allows students to share ideas with friends, making it easier to understand new concepts and solve problems together. It also helps them feel more comfortable in class, which can boost their confidence and make learning more enjoyable.
Collaboration is a powerful tool to engage students in learning. When students work together on projects or activities, they not only actively build their knowledge of content, but they also learn valuable 21st century skills such as mutual respect, shared responsibility, and open communication. Collaboration strengthens bonds, reinforces trust, and encourages more positive behaviors, ultimately creating harmonious and productive learning environments.
An effective collaborative classroom thrives when teachers select the right tasks, embed clear procedures and expectations to guide student interactions, and trust students to choose their activities and partners. By focusing on these key elements, teachers create supportive environments that foster engagement, accountability, and empowerment, helping students thrive academically and socially.
To learn more about incorporating collaborative learning experiences in the classroom, download our practitioner toolkit.
