Collaboration & Engagement in a High School Classroom is Possible

Many teachers say that they don't allow their high school students to collaborate because the kids "don't stay on task" or "get too loud." What's the problem with this? Without collaboration there is less learning going on.

When students collaborate they are using social skills and learning to self-manage. More importantly, they thinking critically about the topic. Students cannot discuss something if they don't know anything about it.

How can our students be expected to become 21st-century learners if we don't allow them to interact with each other?

If students are truly engaged, they will stay on task and they will interact with the content. There are a lot of great tools out there to help teachers keep students engaged as well.  I really like Quizlet Live. It's similar to Kahoot in that the teacher projects questions and students answer on their device, but it incorporates the collaborative element.

Students are grouped. Each student in the group may not have the same answers on his or her computer though. They have to discuss together and then decide as a team. Even if the reward is a sticker, kids get INTO IT! They love the competition and the pride of knowing their team won.  And surprise...! They might also learn something.

Check out Quizlet Live and start collaborating in your classroom.