I have to admit, as I’m writing this blog post, a flood of memories from my school days keeps popping up - many of them involving not-so-great group work experiences. I can still picture the scenes: me, sitting in a group, working hard while the others just… watched. If collaborative work had any hidden benefits, I definitely wasn’t feeling them.
Of course, how well group projects worked always depended on who I was paired with. Over time, I was lucky enough to experience some amazing group projects, especially in university and later at work. Those moments showed me just how powerful collaboration can be when everyone is involved and engaged.
I get it: when people hear the word “teamwork,” they might instinctively want to roll their eyes or jump out the nearest window. But before you give up on the idea entirely, let’s dig a little deeper: why is collaboration important, and how can we get better at it?
At its heart, collaboration is about people coming together to achieve something they couldn’t do alone. It’s not just splitting tasks or politely nodding at each other during a meeting. Real collaboration involves sharing ideas, working through disagreements, and blending individual strengths into something greater than the sum of its parts.
Think of it like an orchestra. You might have a fantastic violinist, an incredible trumpet player, and a world-class percussionist. But if they all play their solos at the same time, it’s chaos. True collaboration means creating harmony, not just by performing well individually, but by listening to each other and adapting to make the whole piece shine.
Key skills tied to collaboration include active listening, empathy, communication, conflict resolution, and adaptability. And while these skills sound lofty, they’re things we can practice every day, whether we’re working on a team project, solving problems, or simply learning how to value other perspectives.
Collaboration isn’t just something we do in school or the workplace - it’s everywhere. Imagine planning a group trip with friends. One person is in charge of booking accommodations, another finds the best restaurants, and someone else plans the activities. It’s all about blending strengths and compromising when opinions clash. Collaborative skills turn what could be a logistical nightmare into a memorable experience for everyone.
Now imagine applying these skills on a larger scale. Solving global challenges like climate change or creating innovative technologies requires teams of people working together across industries and even continents. Collaboration is the common thread that brings diverse ideas and talents together to make progress possible.
So how can we get better at collaboration, especially in classrooms where students often have mixed feelings about group work? Here are some practical tips to foster teamwork, including strategies for those who may not naturally enjoy working in groups.
Assigning specific roles within a group helps ensure everyone contributes meaningfully. For example, you can designate a “researcher,” a “timekeeper,” a “presenter,” and a “note-taker.” This gives each student a clear responsibility and reduces the chance of someone sitting back and letting others do the work. For introverted students, choosing roles that don’t put them on the spot - like organizing materials or summarizing ideas - can help them feel more comfortable as a first step.
Before diving into a project, have students practice active listening (we also discussed it in our post about communication - see how skills are connected with each other?). Just pair them up for a short exercise where one student shares an idea, and the other paraphrases it back to ensure they’ve understood. This simple task reinforces the value of listening, which is a key ingredient for smooth teamwork.
For students who dread large groups, start small. Have them collaborate in pairs or trios before scaling up to bigger group tasks. Smaller teams allow quieter students to ease into collaboration without feeling overwhelmed by a larger dynamic.
Disagreements happen, and that’s okay. Teach students how to handle conflict constructively by holding mock discussions where they practice finding solutions. For example, role-play a scenario where two team members want to take the project in different directions. Guide the group to reach a compromise that respects both viewpoints.
Help students identify what they’re good at and how their unique skills can benefit the group. For example, an introverted student might excel at analysing data or crafting well-thought-out ideas, while another might be great at presenting those ideas. When students see how their strengths contribute to the group’s success, they’re more likely to engage fully - and then try out themselves in other roles as well!
After a group project, hold a class discussion about what went well and what didn’t. Encourage students to reflect on how they contributed and how they could improve. Use this as an opportunity to celebrate successes and address challenges constructively.
Collaboration doesn’t always have to be serious, you can also organise team-building activities for the class. Team-building tasks can build trust and camaraderie, making students more comfortable working together on academic tasks.
💡 Smart tips from us
We listed our 3 most popular AI assistants for generating activities for collaborative learning - you can check them out here:
Collaboration isn’t always easy, especially when personalities clash or expectations aren’t clear. But when done right, it’s incredibly rewarding. It teaches us how to value others’ strengths, navigate challenges together, and create something truly meaningful as a team. So, is working in a team better than alone? The answer is yes - but it takes intentional skill-building to create a team dynamic where everyone genuinely feels the power of collaboration.
Sources
Qureshi, M. A., Khaskheli, A., Qureshi, J. A., Raza, S. A., & Yousufi, S. Q. (2021). Factors affecting students’ learning performance through collaborative learning and engagement. Interactive Learning Environments, 31(4), 2371–2391. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2021.1884886
Cornell University Center for Teaching Innovation. (n.d.). Collaborative learning. Cornell University. Retrieved December 19, 2024, from https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/active-collaborative-learning/collaborative-learning