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Teaching Children Science: A Project-Based Approach, 2/e

Joe Krajcik, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Charlene Czerniak, University of Toledo
Carl Berger, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

How Do I Develop Collaboration in the Science Classroom?

HOW DOES COLLABORATION CHANGE THE NATURE OF THE CLASSROOM?

Materials Needed:

Two classrooms to observe

With the help of your instructor, a school principal, or a school curriculum director, identify two teachers and classrooms for observation. Obtain permission to observe each of these teachers. Make sure you observe at least one collaborative group setting.
As you observe both classrooms, analyze how collaboration changes the nature of the classroom. Try to answer the following questions:


1		How are students working together in these classrooms?



2		How does the teacher structure the group work?



3		Are students given jobs or roles to play? Are the roles or jobs meaningful intellectually, or are they only procedural tasks?



4		Are the jobs or roles necessary to complete the overall task?



5		What is the role of the teacher in the classroom?



6		What are the teacher's objectives in the lesson?



7		What instructional strategies does the teacher use?



8		How does the teacher help students work in groups (by developing interpersonal skills, encouraging students to talk with each other, resolving conflicts)?



9		What do you see as the advantages and challenges of a collaborative classroom? Discuss with peers how these challenges might be overcome.



10		Record your thoughts and observations in your portfolio.

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