Us/101 Appendix E

Associate Program Material

Appendix E

Collaboration Worksheet

Write a 100- to 150-word response to each of the following questions:

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What are the advantages of having diversity in a collaborative learning environment?

There are many advantages to having a diverse learning environment. Different perspectives, when applied to reaching solutions, can increase problem-solving skills. Positive relationships, between people from different backgrounds, can be increased through working together to achieve a common goal, if there is respect, appreciation, and a commitment to equality held by everyone involved. Another benefit of this work environment is the decreasing of stereotyping and prejudice through collaborative contact. For people with a closed upbringing and a narrow view of the world, working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds can greatly develop a deeper understanding of the many different types of viewpoints that other people may have.

How might factors such as diversity, attitude, learning, and work styles affect collaboration?

Diversity can affect collaboration, in a negative way, if the people involved are unwilling to put aside any differences that they may have. If people have a bad attitude, dwell on these differences, and let them get in the way of effective collaboration, then it brings a great hindrance to the learning process for everyone. People may also have conflicting learning and work styles. This can lead to a lack of cohesiveness within the group, and the work produced can suffer, by being incomplete or lackluster. For the full advantages of working collaboratively to be realized, there has to be a certain understanding in the group that the ultimate goal is to produce quality work, and the willingness to make any compromises that may be needed to fully achieve this goal is an integral part of effective collaboration.

How does personal responsibility influence the work and success of a group?...