Collaborative Learning and
Digital Portfolios
Think back to when you were an elementary school student. What was your favortie thing about school? What is lunch, recess, story or library time? Was it a subject or activity? In my experience most people reflect fondly on the times when they were interacting with the other students. This was frequently gym class, recess, lunch, or a group activity.
We as humans benefit from learning in a social environment. When we are interacting and collaborating with others, we are able to maximize our skills and resources, allowing us to create a fuller, more rich learning experience.
One must be a little creative when it comes to incoporating the benficial idea of collaboration into the creation of a digital portfolio. With the technology we have today, there is no reason that a small group or pair of students could not work on the same project at the same time, even across the world. With tools like Google Drive more than one person can work on the same document at the the same time, with tools that allow chatting via text or with a microphone.
By creating something together, and drawing off the off the talent and skills of each member, it is easy to be proud and excited about the resulting product. You are also exposing yourself to knowledge and expertise of the fellow group members. Just because you are working on a project about one thing, doesn't mean you can't learn a little something else. Maybe you are teamed up with someone who is good at math, or whiz at making videos or PowerPoints. Everyone can bring something to the table, and everyone can take something away.