collaboration questions

1. How do secondary education classroom teachers create a safe, collaborative environment if they are only allotted 45 minutes a day?

In all three articles, the concept to build a trusting relationship was suggested. However, secondary education teachers traditionally only have 45 minute class periods in which 5 of that is already used for necessary evils such as attendance and other required activities. Some schools go as far as to have required assignments at the beginning of the class such as math reinforcement activities or reading comprehension activities. As a teacher, I tried to incorporate a great deal of collaboration (which it is only natural to do this in science) but I wish I could have done more to increase the freedom of expression of my students. There is always that one outcast in every class that feels as if he or she does not belong. What if there was an online component… but instead of the students being aware of who was writing, have this be confidential. Will this help that one outcast express him or herself more freely? Is anonymity better for the comfort level of communication online? Is this part of the reason online social interaction has become so popular? It’s easier to be yourself when no one knows who you are?


2. What would be the difference between enhancing the collaboration at the elementary age group in comparison to the secondary age group?

From past experience, I have noticed that the issues of collaborative trust and common goals are greatly decreased with adults… but I have to wonder if this is a continuum. There seems to be a point during the pre-teen years that students become more competitive and less cooperative that it takes a while to grow out of. I wonder if collaboration is considered at a younger age and then nurtured as they grow older whether many of the social issues that develop as the students grow older could be avoided.