Engaging+in+Collaboration


 * Ways to Engage Students in Constructive Collaboration: (National Writing Project, 2006) **
 * Open up discussion about ethical concerns related to individual authorship and one’s responsibility to the group.
 * Let students mess up documents an then fix them (revert to previous versions).
 * Make the social behaviors of collaboration (e.g., listening, asking open-ended questions, repeating ideas heard from others) transparent.
 * Have each individual name her assets and liabilities as a group member and choose tasks for writing accordingly.
 * Create a list of specific steps for the group and individuals to take.
 * Have a frank discussion about the nature of revision--especially how some of the first-draft writing will be cut or significantly changed--no one gets offended.
 * Examine and acknowledge group dynamics.
 * Encourage participants to ask good questions and keep conversations going by moving beyond simple response to writing and into deeper discussions about revisions.