5 Dos and Don’ts of SEL-Based Collaborative Learning
Format
Individual Presentation
Format
Workshop
First Presenter's Institution
Princeton Public Schools
First Presenter’s Email Address
katiedineen@princetonk12.org
First Presenter's Brief Biography
Katie is a public high school social studies teacher with a research background in gender equity in curriculum and instruction, educational psychology, and abolitionist pedagogy. In her work outside the classroom with institutions such as the New-York Historical Society and Princeton University, Katie shares her research and experience with practicing and pre-service educators.
Submitter
I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)
Location
Scarbrough 4
Strand #1
Heart: Social & Emotional Skills
Strand #2
Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership
Relevance
Heart: Collaborative learning that is inclusive, differentiated, and intentional supports several of the key tenets of SEL. By working in a carefully structured group toward a common goal, students practice feeling and showing empathy for others, building supportive relationships, and responsibly making both individual and collective decisions in a safe, supportive, and controlled environment.
Head: When collaborative learning is meaningfully integrated into curricula and instruction, it creates a basis for more equitable SEL. Specifically, collaborative learning models can expand all students’ academic access and achievement by:
- allowing for structured differentiation
- extending direct teacher- and peer- support where it’s needed
- presenting new, interpersonal challenges to academically advanced students
- fostering a sense of belonging in classroom communities
- increasing student agency in their individualized learning processes
- providing more intimate settings for challenging discourse
Brief Program Description
Collaborative Learning can strengthen students’ sense of belonging, provide a framework for differentiation, and make lessons more engaging and accessible for all students. In this presentation, we will consider 5 Dos and Don'ts to encourage participants to choose strategies for implementing SEL-based collaborative learning in their classrooms and workplaces.
Summary
After reviewing the recommendations listed below from a student perspective, participants will develop or modify instructional materials to incorporate SEL-based collaborative learning.
#1: Assigned Roles
- Don’t forget to plan roles and responsibilities.
- Do create intentional group roles.
#2: Student Choice Don’t overspecify learning tasks.
- Don’t overspecify learning tasks.
- Do use a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to create space for student choice.
#3: Responsive Group Creation
- Don’t tie yourself to heterogeneous or homogeneous grouping strategies.
- Do be responsive to student needs when creating groups.
#4: Group Rotation
- Don’t keep student working groups stagnant.
- Do change student working groups frequently and provide several opportunities for collaboration across groups.
#5: Accountability
- Don’t assume that students know how to collaborate.
- Do engage with student groups, model accountable talk, and individually assess students’ performance.
Evidence
https://casel.org/blog/5-dos-and-donts-of-sel-based-collaborative-learning/
Learning Objective 1
describe SEL-based collaborative learning
Learning Objective 2
integrate SEL-based collaborative learning into their practice
Learning Objective 3
create opportunities for collaboration between their students, clients, and/or employees
Keyword Descriptors
collaborative leaning, social-emotional learning, differentiation, equity, racial literacy
Presentation Year
2025
Start Date
3-5-2025 11:15 AM
Recommended Citation
Dineen, Katie, "5 Dos and Don’ts of SEL-Based Collaborative Learning" (2025). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 85.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2025/2025/85
5 Dos and Don’ts of SEL-Based Collaborative Learning
Scarbrough 4
Collaborative Learning can strengthen students’ sense of belonging, provide a framework for differentiation, and make lessons more engaging and accessible for all students. In this presentation, we will consider 5 Dos and Don'ts to encourage participants to choose strategies for implementing SEL-based collaborative learning in their classrooms and workplaces.