Collaborative learning at Casvi International American School

Collaborative learning at Casvi International American School is a technique that promotes learning to take place through small workgroups, in which students use their levels of knowledge to improve their understanding of a subject. Thus, each member of the group is not only responsible for his or her own knowledge but must also help the rest of the students.

Origin of collaborative learning

In the 1960s, brothers David and Roger Johnson, professors at the University of Minnesota, began studying to see if the individualistic learning characteristic of that time was the best option for learning. However, they saw that if students worked together, helping each other, the result was more beneficial for all of them.

This methodology works on five essential elements: positive interdependence, individual responsibility, motor interaction, social skills and group procedure.

How to implement collaborative learning

Collaborative learning can be implemented from the earliest stages of education and is applicable to virtually all subjects. Moreover, to carry it out, it is important to determine several stages:

-Preparation of ideas separately: each student prepares his ideas in advance and individually.

-Sharing of individual ideas: team members share their ideas and decide which are the most valid.

-Role of the teacher: no previous instructions are usually given and the students are the ones who manage the work.

-Final evaluation: it is checked if the objectives have been achieved and it is seen where the group procedure can be improved.

Advantages of collaborative learning

Working through collaborative learning allows students to develop higher reasoning and critical thinking skills. In addition, they feel more confident and accepted by themselves.

On the other hand, these students become knowledge experts and develop a high capacity to work in teams.

Collaborative learning at Casvi International American School

At Casvi International American School, collaborative learning is a constant. Our students carry out a multitude of tasks, activities and projects in teams. This allows them to enrich themselves with the knowledge of their classmates and to develop communication and teamwork skills.

This collaborative culture is also one of the most outstanding aspects of the International Baccalaureate, a methodology implemented in our school. Having a sense of community and collaboration is very important for the success and proper functioning of schools. Moreover, thanks to it, students will be able to observe how the community works and what role they play within it.