Customer Reviews

Collaborative Learning Techniques: A Handbook for College Faculty

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Collaborative Learning Techniques is both a "how to" and a "why to" guide to collaborative learning. By providing simple, easy-to-follow examples of 30 collaborative learning techniques, it provides a starting point for faculty who wish to experiment with collaborative learning in their classrooms. Each technique is described in detail followed by several examples from a variety of disciplines. I particularly appreciated the observations and advice section and the tips for adapting to on-line environments. More importantly, however, this text goes beyond describing a few teaching tricks. By exploring the theory and research on collaborative learning it also facilitates "deeper learning" about why we do what we do in collaborative learning classrooms. Even faculty who have been using collaborative learning techniques for years will gain new insights from the authors' discussion of the nuances of a truly collaborative classroom.

While the value of collaborative learning is well documented, its implementation has always been a stumbling block for me. "Collaborative Learning Techniques" is a godsend in this regard, containing as is does myriad useful strategies for incorporating and structuring collaborative activities. Busy professionals will also appreciate its clear writing, clean organization, useful tables, and refreshing absence of "education-speak."

Collaborative Learning Techniques is an excellent resource that highlights practical strategies that can be realistically implemented. The implementation of group work can be very challenging, but the authors have provided (throughout their book) very clear examples. Such illustrations contain great
in-depth details so that other faculty can easily understand how to implement these different techniques. These strategies also seek to improve numerous types of outcomes including writing, problem solving, and class participation in discussions. Overall, this is a very rich resource providing a comprehensive overview of important collaborative learning techniques.

When Collaborative Learning Techniques arrived, I read it from cover to cover. How often can one say that about a book on college teaching? Jargon-free writing and an uncluttered layout make this book the best starting point place for instructors who want to use small groups in the classroom. Comprehensive coverage and well-documented case studies make it a must-have reference work for all college teachers.

This college handbook for group learning techniques is practical and common sensical. It covers basic information on the formation of groups, ideas for various classroom situations and settings, and methods of evaluations. Instructors should use various forms of evaluation in the classroom, and this text gives the instructor concrete methods to carry out the collaborative learning method. It is a wonderful tool for any college instructor and answers some of the questions concerning this form of evaluation.

Although Barkley, Cross, and Major (2005) set out to create a interesting text for college faculty, it goes beyond this. I feel that now, in 2011, the worlds collective intellect is on the rise, and getting into the game will help ones own intellect. Not only then is this book ideal for students, but for educators alike.

If you are a "traditionalist" in your pedagogical matters yout type will soon be extinct. This book, and many authorities out there in education follow similar lines of thought. Another good book to buy with this is: Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century (The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Reports on Digital Media and Learning). Also, King Arthur's Round Table : How Collaborative Conversations Create Smart Organizations.

The three books are very different, but paint a beautiful overview of collaborative and collective designs.

As far as textbooks go this is a "good read." Not preachy, clearly explained, explicit. Mostly helpful information.

This is on the 'recommended' resource list of my professor. I have found it very useful as I am preparing my student teaching assignments and looking for new strategies.

El libro es una materail muy valioso para los profesiales que se dedican a la educación universitaria. Muy claro en los materiales que presenta.

En estas épocas en las que solicitamos a los profesores que cambien tantas cosas y que asuman tantas responsabilidades, un libro práctico y completo como éste, es una gran herramienta. La institución puede apoyarse en él para diseñar actualizaciones y prácticas para profesores. Lo recomiendo ampliamente para aquellos que quieren implementar trabajo colaborativo rápida y eficientemente.