Taking the Doors Off the Classroom Through Collaboration

Duffy, Leah

CO-Collaboration
CO-Collaboration Strategies

Perez, J. (2015, January 7). Taking the doors off the classroom through collaboration. Retrieved May 20, 2016, from http://www.hotchalkeducationnetwork.com/collaboration-with-purpose/ 

Summary and Evaluation:

This article goes over collaboration in schools and how it can be fostered from the beginning of a school. It also goes over the stages that collaboration will often undergo on it's way to becoming the normal: "forming", "storming", "norming", and "performing".  If educators can get through these steps it will ultimately improve their teaching.  The article does acknowledge that not all teachers are open to collaboration, especially ones that are establish in working independently.  Though the article cites how consistent collaboration has helped lead to improved math test scores for a school that tried it out. 

This article is easy to understand and is well laid out in sections.  The part that talks about the stages of collaboration were interesting to me because they are the same stages we have talked about in our classes when we do group work.  I also like that Perez defends his position but acknowledges the changes that collaboration faces in schools.  I also appreciate that Perez backs up his statement with a school that has benefited from collaboration.