When you are reading through your curriculum and you spy a “group project” suggestion, do you wince internally and quickly try to find a way to adapt it into an individual project, or even skip it all together?  Believe me, I’ve been there.  Activities and projects with more than one participant are the most challenging because it can feel like the only thing you are doing all day is conflict management. Are collaborative learning projects really worth it?

I urge you to look beyond the challenges and even to change your word usage with these “group projects” to Collaborative Projects.  Why does it matter what they’re called, they’re still too time consuming, too stressful, and too much initial prep time! 

Well, I believe language is important and our words matter.  (For more on why use the term “collaboration,” visit my article “Collaborative Learning vs. Cooperative Learning.”)  Think in terms of “teams” rather than “groups” and clear some more space in your schedule for these collaborative projects because trust me, they are worth the time spent!

Here are 10 benefits of utilizing collaborative learning projects in your classroom:

1. Students develop more than just knowledge of the content area.

2. It cultivates problem-solving skills.

3. Many social skills are utilized, especially in the area of communication and active listening.

4. Higher order thinking skills are used in the area of creating and synthesizing.

5. Different perspectives are shared and students benefit from hearing from diverse learners and alternative points of view.

6. Students are better able to articulate and apply their learning in collaborative learning projects.

7. It challenges students with time management and delegation, which are real-world life skills.

8. It develops leadership skills.

9. Collaboration fosters classroom community and culture of engagement

10. Students will go home talking about it!  It will stick with them not just that day, but years and years later.

Despite the difficulty, students will recall these projects fondly, and value the learning and knowledge gained much more because it came from their peers and they are able to contribute more than a traditional classroom setting.  There are SO many benefits, you just have to experience for yourself to buy-in to it, and you will never go back!

What are some additional benefits of collaborative learning projects?

What are some of the challenges you’ve come across when implementing collaborative learning in your classroom?