Learner profiles

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Introduction

We held our first Super Learning Hour in December (see below for details), where students worked in groups to find out first-hand about collaborative learning. One group came up with their own ‘5 Cs’ to successful group work. See the outcomes of the students’ work in these documents…

> The 5 Cs of collaborative learning
> Top 5 tips to successful collaboration
> Student guide to successful collaboration

How it works

Each Curriculum Unit, the Learning and Teaching team will identify a cross curricular theme for all learners to focus on. For Curriculum Unit 2, our theme is Collaboration. Each theme will be launched through a Super Learning Hour.

Learning outcome

To equip the learners with the skills required to work collaboratively together to achieve common goals.

Rationale

Some of the most important forms of professional learning and problem solving occur in group settings. It is creative in its nature through the sharing of knowledge, learning and building consensus. Groups that work collaboratively can obtain greater success than those working as individuals. When collaboration is structured students are able to be introspective about their behaviour and their communication with other members of the group. Structured collaboration provides a deepened learning experience with the ultimate aim is to improve performance and lead to more effective learners.

Proposal

Monday 14 December – Period 1 is a ‘Super Learning Hour’, where students stay in their normal teaching groups in normal classrooms. The students then take part in a ‘Super Learning Hour’ based around the theme of collaboration and delivered to them by the normal classroom teacher.

Outline of the hour

Big question – What is collaborative learning? OR What are the benefits of collaborative learning? OR Why does working collaboratively lead to a increase in the retention of knowledge?

Starter – Student will share their experiences of working as a group. Have they been positive or negative?

Main lesson – Pupils are given 3 tasks and will work collaboratively to learn how good group work leads to success. The activities will centre on learner exploration, building capacity for tolerating and resolving differences and honouring all voices. This will equip them with the skills to use in the wider learning community.

Plenary – To summarise the lesson students will identify the criteria for successful team work and evaluate the session