A new approach to collaborative learning | Hubertus Weyer | TEDxUniversity of Lodz

Key Concepts

• Traditional Lecture Format: Hierarchical structure with instructor at the top and students below.
• Collaborative Model: Students actively participate in the learning process; instructors are integrated with students. Mutual exchange and collaboration.
• COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning): Projects where students from geographically removed universities form mixed groups and collaborate online.
• Future Skills: A composite of specific subject area knowledge and collaborative/communicative skills.
• Active Learning: Teaching methods that engage students actively in the learning process.

The Challenge: Teaching Without Traditional Classes

The speaker begins by posing a challenge: teaching a subject without having dedicated classes. This was the speaker's actual situation, leading to the exploration of alternative teaching methods. The traditional lecture format, a hierarchical structure with the instructor at the top, is contrasted with a new approach focused on teaching and learning relevant to real-world issues like AI, climate change, and diversity.

Shifting to a Collaborative Model

The speaker advocates for a shift from a hierarchical teaching model to a collaborative one. In this model, students actively participate in the learning process, and instructors are integrated with the students. This involves mutual exchange and collaboration, moving from a "pyramid" structure to a "circle."

Addressing Challenges in Higher Education

Universities face several challenges, including:

• AI: Potential and concerns surrounding its impact on education.
• Declining Student Numbers: Experienced during and after COVID in some regions.
• Changing Economies and Societal Values: Rapid economic changes, increased recognition of diversity, and the need to address climate change and renewable energies.

Universities must adapt to remain relevant. The speaker draws a parallel to the NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.) story, where a collaboration between General Motors and Toyota transformed a failing plant into a top performer. This illustrates the potential of collaborative approaches.

Introducing COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning)

The speaker proposes COIL projects as a radical solution, going beyond active learning. COIL involves:

• Putting students from two or three geographically distant universities into mixed groups.
• Collaborating on projects using asynchronous and synchronous tools.

An example is given of a project combining two German and two Polish universities.

Benefits of COIL Projects

Students in COIL projects:

• Apply and expand their theoretical knowledge.
• Overcome language and intercultural barriers.
• Understand the motivation of working in diverse and international contexts.
• Experience self-leadership, perception of others, and self-perception.
• Develop reflective skills.

COIL allows students to achieve skills and objectives that surpass traditional lecture objectives.

Future Skills Development

COIL projects foster the development of "future skills," which are a combination of:

• Specific subject area knowledge.
• Collaborative and communicative skills.

These skills prepare students for their professional lives and are also beneficial in their private lives.

Effectiveness of COIL

The speaker argues that COIL is highly effective, building on the proven success of active learning methods. Studies show that active learning classes achieve better grades and lower failure rates compared to traditional lectures. COIL is presented as the most intense collaborative experience.

Key reasons for COIL's effectiveness:

• Students work and learn in an international and diverse environment.
• Students can pursue their own interests within their studies.
• Students are challenged by a partially unpredictable situation, requiring collaboration with unfamiliar peers.

Surveys and student evaluations confirm the benefits of COIL.

COIL vs. Traditional Lectures and Group Work

COIL differs from traditional lectures in that it takes place virtually, using collaborative tools. While it might seem like online group work, it's more than that. Integrating COIL into a lecture series transforms the lectures into support for the COIL project, making the COIL the central objective. This requires a shift in mindset, recognizing the COIL as the new space for learning. Instructors also need to collaborate.

Conclusion

Implementing such a change is challenging but rewarding. The speaker's experience of not having traditional classes led to a forward-looking and future-oriented approach. Students from different universities are integrated, and instructors collaborate. The speaker concludes that it is indeed possible to teach effectively without traditional classes, highlighting the value of collaboration and thanking collaborators.