How can coordinators boost collaborative learning?

Sunday 3 November 2024

I absolutely enjoy facilitating workshops, whether they’re held in individual schools or as part of regional gatherings. Each format brings its own unique benefits:

  • In-school workshops are fantastic for fostering "team learning" among colleagues. As Peter Senge wisely noted, "The IQ of the team can, potentially, be much greater than the IQ of the individuals" (Senge, p. 222). This highlights the importance of team learning as a vital skill; learning teams must develop the ability to learn together effectively. I particularly love immersing myself in the unique context of each school. Over the past two months, I’ve had the pleasure of working with schools in Poland and Norway, and this Tuesday, I’m off to Bishkek to collaborate with a school there.

  • Regional workshops, whether in-person or virtual, allow us to connect as a global community. It’s enriching to learn from the diverse perspectives of colleagues from places as far apart as Washington and Tokyo. Together, we can delve into broad topics—like well-being or inclusive education—and draw on these varied insights for a truly enriching experience.

Currently, I’m also training groups of IB workshop facilitators to lead five new workshops in the IB Education series, covering topics like AI, well-being, educational belonging, and competencies for both teachers and students. One key reflection for our facilitators is how to effectively engage a diverse audience that includes both IB and non-IB educators.

In this blog, I’ve gathered some key takeaways from these experiences in hopes that they’ll serve as a helpful resource for you as you facilitate learning among your colleagues at school.

Facilitator top tips

These tips used the IB design principles as a framework.

Rebalanced learner agency where educators co-create curriculums and actively produce their professional development experience.

  • Promote active participation by educators in shaping curriculum and development.
  • Integrate innovative tools, like AI, to enhance co-creation.
  • Foster an inclusive environment where participants can drive their own learning.

Inclusive environments that leverage the power of differences in the context of shared learning.

  • Encourage sharing of diverse experiences to utilize the collective knowledge of the group.
  • Model inclusivity by valuing participants' backgrounds and identities.
  • Build strong relationships to create a safe space for open dialogue and mutual respect.

International mindedness that establishes common ground and recognises variations to be as important as commonalities.

  • Facilitate discussions that celebrate diversity and connect to real-world contexts.
  • Emphasize empathy and respect for individual identities while fostering a global perspective.
  • Highlight the role of international mindedness in broadening horizons and nurturing global belonging.

Collaborative learning ecologies like professional learning communities, demonstrating the power of collective intelligence.

  • Create opportunities for educators to learn from one another and share insights.
  • Promote a culture of collaboration that enhances both individual and group development.
  • Model collaborative strategies that participants can implement in their own settings.

Multiple opportunities for reflection, with a focus on constructive, actionable feedback.

  • Allocate time for reflection throughout the workshop to facilitate deeper learning.
  • Encourage participants to evaluate their experiences and identify actionable improvements.
  • Use various reflection methods to enrich understanding and foster growth.

Reciprocal knowledge obligations in which educators develop themselves and others by co-constructing learning in a safe environment.

  • Establish a supportive atmosphere for sharing diverse perspectives and asking questions.
  • Encourage co-construction of knowledge as a shared responsibility among participants.
  • Foster reciprocal learning that benefits both facilitators and participants through mutual exchange.

Team and individual learning with a focus on collective responsibility and personal mastery.

  • Balance individual reflection with group activities to promote personal and collective growth.
  • Use structured protocols to facilitate shared learning and accountability.
  • Position yourself as a guide to nurture an environment where diverse insights are valued.

Spirals of inquiry via higher level questioning and nonlinear feedback loops.

  • Frame workshops as iterative processes that invite deep inquiry and exploration.
  • Encourage non-linear feedback to allow for continuous refinement of understanding.
  • Provide multiple opportunities for reflection to connect workshop content with individual contexts.

Usable knowledge artefacts like digital portfolios that optimise resources and keep learning practical.

  • Offer tangible tools, like digital portfolios, for participants to document their learning journey.
  • Highlight practical applications of knowledge that can be readily implemented.
  • Embrace diverse expression methods to make learning visible and accessible for future reference.

Tags: facilitation


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