Collaborative Ideas For Math

 

We know it is better for student learning if they can collaborate or use peer tutoring to help them learn.  When I got my teaching credentials, I was taught to "show" students how to do the work, so they copied down every step and then provide the assignment.  It's the way I learned and it's the way I default to when teaching.  I know I need to do more collaboration in class but it always seems as if something happens to keep that from happening.

Collaborative learning is also known as cooperative learning.  It allows students to learn with support, encouragement, and often includes learning from peers. I came across suggestions to make the whole process so much easier and which changes everything from teacher centered to student centered so they are doing most of the teaching and learning.

First step is to divide the students into small groups of four to six people.  Give them a whiteboard either physical or digital where the "scribe" or "recorder" will be able to write down all the ideas provided by the group and which every member of the group can see.  It might be jam board, explain everything, or an easel with paper or a large whiteboard.The person doing the recording can only write down what the others say. The other students write down on their paper, exactly what is written on the whiteboard.  Students switch out at the end of each problem.

So the way it works is that scribe one will write a problem up on the board.  The students in the group tell the recorder or scribe how to solve the problem step by step.  Once the problem is solved, everyone writes it down on their paper and the next student becomes the recorder and they repeat it it.  The problem might be a geometric proof, word problems, solving numerical problems, vocabulary, etc.

By having every student work as the facilitator, it empowers them because everyone has to communicate their ideas to the facilitator/scribe.  It also gives students the opportunity to communicate their ideas using mathematical language both verbally and in written form.  In addition, it is good to give students the opportunity to practice vocabulary in a nonthreatening situation, especially if you have students who are English Language Learners.

Furthermore, it allows teachers the opportunities to monitor student understanding by checking out their produced work or watching them in action.  Monitoring is important to make sure that one person is not providing all the answers and that everyone is able to participate and learn.  In fact, it allows students to encourage each other.

It is strongly suggested that this type of collaborative activity be used to practice material after students have undergone direct instruction so they have a better idea of what is going on.  Think of this as practice rather than teacher lead instruction.  It is easy to set up and use.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.