Collaborative, trusting environment

A noncompetitive, trusting environment, in which students share with and learn from each other as well as from their teacher, better supports student learning. The following DLC resources support this specific element of powerful teaching.

DLC Bookmarks

Bookmarks: A "social" bookmarking tool for saving links to any site or page, whether starting from the DLC or not. Saved bookmarks can be "tagged" (categorized) and shared with the entire DLC community or a class community, enabling everyone to locate resources more efficiently.

DLC Library

DLC Library: All Resources: All DLC library resources can be used in a collaborative learning context. Students can be assigned to teams in which individual students serve in roles (researcher, evaluator/analyzer, draft developer, editor, etc.) defined by their learning styles/strengths.

netTrekker d.i.: Teacher Tools Sign in for access to this resource: Enter the keyword "collaboration" and click the Search in Context box. The search results will list sites from the netTrekker database that focus on collaboration.

Thinkfinity: Search: Enter the keyword "collaborative," after choosing the subject area and/or grade levels you're interested in.

Digital Tools

ShareSpaces: Provides a convenient online space to share files with colleagues or workgroup members. You can share files online, do group work, track versions of documents, and control access to files.

Peer Review: Students can post, review, and comment on documents, projects, or assignments or work together to author a document. Use Peer Review to encourage student-to-student interaction, small-group work, and discussion and collaboration.

Discussion Boards: Teachers and students can exchange information and ideas via online discussion boards. Use them with an entire class, create small groups within a classroom, or invite participants (e.g., parents) from outside of class.

Portfolio: Portfolio makes it easy for students to create websites to showcase their work. Students can use Portfolio to highlight their coursework, create an online exhibition, present work to prospective colleges or employers, and share their interests with family and friends.