Collaboration

Collaboration means amplification ,.. by connecting human beings... who when connected" //create results that are greater than the sum of their parts//".

//"I noticed two students, that I was working with on an individual basis were developing similar solutions, even though their sculptures were quite different. I put them together, and told them work together, to share ideas and that even though their work was different, they should find commonalities in which they could develop their own artwork. At the end of class they had developed their work to a level beyond what I had done with them and their interaction affected the whole group."// --Leonard Gabriel, //comment from// [|www.edutopia.org]

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Link to Collaboration in the Classroom Etherpad

Link to ISTE NETS for Teachers

A World Without Walls __**Rules** for positive collaborative experiences__
 * 1) Communication - Open and clear communication. There is an established process for communication
 * 2) Climate - the environment surrounding the process is positive. Credit is attributed freely and all offers are accepted (ie: judgement is reserved).
 * 3) Connectedness - members of this collaboration are connected and have established informal and formal communication networks at all levels;
 * 4) Leadership - the leadership facilitates and supports team building, and capitalizes upon diversity and individual, group and organizational strengths
 * 5) Clear Vision - expectations are made clear. Roles and responsibilities for each task are clearly delineated.



__Collaborative **Projects**__ The Flatroom Classroom Project (a project that any classroom can join and participate in) The Global Education Collaborative Classroom 2.0 (NING site where teachers from all over the world can learn from each other - discussions, questions, and great ideas) [| Classroom 2.0 Collaboration opportunities]

__Collaboration **Tools** for Educators__ [|Wikis] Google Docs Google Sites Voicethread iEARN Epals NING, [|ELGG], [|linkedIn] (social networking sites //currently// recommended for educational use)

__**Assessing** Collaboration__

[|future classifieds our students may read]

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[|Document Explaining Difference between Collaboration and Cooperation]

Retrieved from Dave Pollard's [|Will that be Coordination, Cooperation or Collaboration?]
 * ||= Coordination ||= Cooperation ||= Collaboration ||
 * Preconditions for Success ("Must-Haves") ||= Shared objectives; Need for more than one person to be involved; Understanding of who needs to do what by when ||= Shared objectives; Need for more than one person to be involved; Mutual trust and respect; Acknowledgment of mutual benefit of working together ||= Shared objectives; Sense of urgency and commitment; Dynamic process; Sense of belonging; Open communication; Mutual trust and respect; Complementary, diverse skills and knowledge; Intellectual agility ||
 * Enablers (Additional "Nice to Haves") ||= Appropriate tools (see below); Problem resolution mechanism ||= Frequent consultation and knowledge-sharing between participants; Clear role definitions; Appropriate tools (see below) ||= Right mix of people; Collaboration skills and practice collaborating; Good facilitator(s); Collaborative 'Four Practices' mindset and other appropriate tools (see below) ||
 * Purpose of Using This Approach ||= Avoid gaps & overlap in individuals' assigned work ||= Obtain mutual benefit by sharing or partitioning work ||= Achieve collective results that the participants would be incapable of accomplishing working alone ||
 * Desired Outcome ||= Efficiently-achieved results meeting objectives ||= Same as for Coordination, plus savings in time and cost ||= Same as for Cooperation, plus innovative, extraordinary, breakthrough results, and collective '[|we did that!]' accomplishment ||
 * Optimal Application ||= Harmonizing tasks, roles and schedules in //simple// environments and systems ||= Solving problems in //complicated// environments and systems ||= Enabling the emergence of understanding and realization of shared visions in //complex// environments and systems ||
 * Examples ||= Project to implement off-the-shelf IT application; Traffic flow regulation ||= Marriage; Operating a local community-owned utility or grain elevator; Coping with an epidemic or catastrophe ||= Brainstorming to discover a dramatically better way to do something; Jazz or theatrical improvisation; Co-creation ||
 * Appropriate Tools ||= Project management tools with schedules, roles, critical path (CPM), PERT and GANTT charts; "who will do what by when" action lists ||= Systems thinking; Analytical tools (root cause analysis etc.) ||= Appreciative inquiry; Open Space meeting protocols; Four Practices; Conversations; Stories ||
 * Degree of interdependence in designing the effort's work-products (and need for physical co-location of participants) ||= Minimal ||= Considerable ||= Substantial ||
 * Degree of individual latitude in carrying out the agreed-upon design ||= Minimal ||= Considerable ||= Substantial ||