In our continued commitment to student success, the “Impactful Teaching – CILA” video series returns with its second installment, Collaborative Group Work. This series provides Austin Community College (ACC) faculty with actionable strategies to foster classroom engagement and cultivate a sense of belonging that supports student success.

Grounded in insights from ACC’s Change Initiatives Leadership Academy (CILA), this video dives into a core aspect of student-centered learning: collaboration. The CILA project draws on real classroom experiences and research to offer faculty simple, effective techniques to help students connect with one another, which ultimately contributes to reduced withdrawal rates, higher course success, and greater academic enthusiasm.

Video 2: “Collaborative Classrooms: Strategies for Effective Group Work”

In this second video, our focus is on creating intentional group activities to establish connections among classmates. By fostering student relationships within a collaborative setting, faculty can help students feel more confident, supported, and valued within the classroom community. The video introduces a selection of accessible techniques that faculty can quickly implement across a variety of disciplines, making it easier than ever to cultivate a collaborative learning environment.

Featured Techniques in “Collaborative Group Work”:

• Real-World Economic Scenarios: Encourage students to apply their math skills by solving economic scenarios that mirror real-life issues, such as budgeting or market analysis. This approach promotes both critical thinking and teamwork as students collaboratively navigate complex problems, providing a practical context that can deepen their engagement with the material.

• Ask 3, Then Me & Literary Circles: Foster a collaborative classroom atmosphere by using techniques like “Ask 3, Then Me,” where students are encouraged to seek input from three classmates before asking the instructor. This strategy builds peer connections and promotes independence. Literary circles further enrich the experience, as small groups discuss assigned texts together, sparking lively debates and deepening comprehension through shared insights.

• Collaborative Timelines: Empower students to build historical timelines together, creating a shared visual representation of events. This exercise enhances critical thinking and helps students develop a more nuanced understanding of historical cause-and-effect relationships. Collaborative timelines encourage students to draw connections and engage in deeper discussions about historical context and impact.

By integrating these methods, faculty can help students establish meaningful connections, both with each other and with the course content, leading to a more inclusive and supportive classroom experience. Get some new ideas on inspiring and energizing students with visits from industry professionals. Watch the full video here to explore these strategies and additional tips, and make collaborative learning a core part of your teaching practice.

Stay tuned for our third and final video, “Feedback, Communication and Relationships” and in the meantime, keep building understanding, fostering global awareness, and engaging every voice to empower critical thinking and build community.