To collaborate or not to collaborate?

Collaboration is a common term used within education to the point it can be called a 'buzzword'. However, have you or your school sat down to discuss the difference between co - operation and collaboration or if there is a even difference between the two?

We could break these two terms into a  simplified explanation below:

However, the current pace of change requires us to delve deeper and explore how this looks in education.

Professor Morton Hansen (University of Berkeley - Management) explores the importance of collaboration and four types of workers.


The Lone Star 
The person who wants to do their own thing. As a teacher they are focused on their goals and their students. They often struggle to collaborate or work well in teams.

The Butterfly
The person who wants to collaborate on every initiative without focusing on their own work.
As a teacher they volunteer for new initiatives and committees and as a result their work suffers.

The Laggard
The person who wants the status quo to remain and block any change.
As a teacher they may not want to try anything new (initiative overload) but there may be reasons for this that need investigating.

The T- Shape Worker
The person who is able to work horizontally and vertically.
As a teacher they are able to work well individually and are able to collaborate in teaching teams.

Which worker will be required in our education future?

The T - Shape worker.

T- Shape workers are teachers who have a deep understanding of their practice, can collaborate with others across and outside of the education sector, make decisions that benefit all learners.

https://goo.gl/TFz9KU

"By 2026 work will be 80% collaborative and 20% individual". (Team B)

As teachers we are often consumed with what is happening within our own school community. A question to ask yourself is: When was the last time that I talked  or collaborated with someone outside the education sector?

There are many disciplines that compliment  education and provide a new viewpoint that challenge some of our current assumptions. An example of this is the Canterbury DHB who have integrated the use the iPad Mini into their patient medication administration and observation. The Charge Nurse is able to view if medication has been administered on time and whether the correct amount of medication was given to the patient.

 This system was created in the Canterbury DHB Design Lab where they begin with patient centered health care. 

Is this model of design thinking a process that could be integrated into our education sector?

A fantastic starting point when looking at your collaboration pattern(s) is broken into five areas by Dr. Cheryl Doig. 

An important question to ask at this point is: How do I collaborate with others?

To provide a framework for collaboration we can look at specific 'keys' that will help you get this process started.

Agree - that collaboration is worth doing.

Define - the right team - are they needed, will they contribute?

Name - your purpose and underpinning principles - write it, display it and live it.

Be honest - about expectations and accountabilities.

Develop - systems for incidental encounters and meetings that happen.

Invest - in the cultural technology - grow relationships.

Do less - better, focus, inquire and pivot. 

Source: Cheryl Doig, Think Beyond.

Collaboration is an important skill that we will all need to develop. It allows for new relationships and learning to occur - a feature of our humanity that brings us great joy.