Collaboration has the potential for changing teaching and learning

Montiel-Overall, P. (2005). A Theoretical Understanding of Teacher and Librarian Collaboration, School Libraries Worldwide, 11(2), 24-48.

I found this reading really hard going and it took me several attempts before I managed to complete it. What it did have to say was quite thought provoking though and well worth the read.

It gave a great definition of collaboration " Collaboration is a trusting, working relationship between two or more equal participants involved in shared thinking, shared planning, and shared creation of innovative integrated instruction."

It said that efforts to share responsibility in education through collaborative practice represent an attempt to transform education into a community of learners.

Collaboration has been closely aligned with two forms of constructivist thinking: a social constructivist world view and a sociocultural world view.

A collaborative environment equalises the playing field by developing mutual understanding.

In an ideal world collaborators would share a similar world view. However, diverse views can serve to enrich the collaborative process.

There are four concepts closely linked to collaboration:

1. networking - essential to initiate the process of collaboration.
2. coordination
3. cooperation
4. partnerships

Collaborators must at lest demonstrate a pattern of behaviour of being friendly.

There are five constructs that range from low to high in any collaborative effort.

1. interest
2. improved learning
3. intensity
4. innovation
5. integration

Through combined efforts and sharing knowledge, collaboration between teacher and librarian could transform education.