The Benefits of Student Collaboration

The National Education Association’s guide on the 4C’s, Preparing 21st Century Students for a Global Society, identifies collaboration as “a key ingredient to student success in today’s global society.” Collaborative learning is an approach that encourages students to work together to explore a concept and/or solve a problem. By engaging in organic peer-to-peer teaching and learning, collaboration allows students to interact with one another, to ask questions and share ideas as they work together.


Benefits of Student Collaboration:

Collaboration is a positive experience for students and it provides opportunities to hone valuable life skills. The benefits of student collaborative learning include the following:

1. Enhanced Social Skills

Collaboration requires students to listen to each other's opinions and perspectives. It calls for students to clearly communicate their own ideas and understanding of a topic. Through collaboration, important social skills such as cooperation, listening, participation, and respect are practiced to solve the problem at hand. Students also encourage each other to speak up, creating the opportunity for all participants to contribute in a meaningful way, whereas they may have stayed more reserved if working independently.

2. Deeper Engagement

Collaboration in small groups allows for each student to play a valuable role in their own discovery and learning. Each participant is encouraged to voice their ideas, ask questions, and propose solutions. This raises the level of engagement for all students.

3. Boosted Confidence and Leadership

Collaboration boosts confidence. During group work, students support each other through challenges, and cheer each other on as they overcome obstacles. All voices and opinions are welcomed, creating a safe space for the exploration of ideas. Leadership skills emerge as teachers take an observer role, allowing students to navigate challenges.

Creating a Collaborative Environment

Collaboration can be easily introduced or incorporated into your learning environment with Breakout EDU games. 

Breakout EDU games are designed with the 4Cs at the forefront, challenging students to collaborate, communicate, and apply their creative and critical thinking skills to solve a series of challenging puzzles. Get started on building a collaborative environment with Breakout EDU by exploring our starter games!