Working Well Collaboratively

In addition to learning the basic skills, students need time to work on open-ended problems (problems that have no one right answer, but may be solved in many different ways) to apply those skills. These types of problems are best attacked as a group. For example, suppose students were presented with a problem where they needed to propose a plan to clean up a polluted river in their county (creating the "felt-need" to learn about water pollution and the polluted river in question). First, students might brainstorm a list of ideas for keeping the river clean. Next, they would come together as a group to discuss their ideas, decide upon a solution, and figure out the best way to present their solution. Working well in a group does not come easily without the development of a set of skills, such as communicating ideas, sharing responsibility, listening, taking turns, etc. These skills can only be developed, maintained, and refined if they are used consistently. Now, more than ever, such skills are necessary for success in the business world.