Opening Questions

1. What are some benefits and uses of collaborative learning?

• CL activities can help to provide variety in the range of activities that are used in the class.

• It can provide an alternative to other ways by which students can demonstrate their increasing mastery of a subject.
• It can stimulate the learning process (e.g. brainstorming, building class cohesiveness, deepening trust among classmates, helping to develop critical thinking skills)
  

2. What can be some challenges regarding collaborative learning?

• Making sure that everyone involved in a group activity / assignment contributes equally.
  Knowing there are different personality types in a given class and/or group, it is important to figure out ways by which roles are articulated.
  

3. What kinds of collaborative learning approaches have you used so far, in classes you have taught?

4. If so, what are some examples of collaborative learning assignments have you facilitated?

5. What are some new kinds of collaborative learning approaches that you would like to integrate into your classes -- as they might help you to achieve course objectives?

6. What are some effective ways of assessing the efficacy of activities and assignments that use collaborative learning?