"Educators dedicate time to collaborate with both colleagues and students to improve practice, discover and share resources and ideas, and solve problems." ~ISTE 2.4
2.4.a Educators dedicate planning time to collaborate with colleagues to create authentic learning experiences that leverage technology.
2.4.b Educators collaborate and co-learn with students to discover and use new digital resources, and diagnose and troubleshoot technology issues.
2.4.c Educators use collaborative tools to expand students' authentic, real-world learning experiences by engaging virtually with experts, teams and students, locally and globally.
2.4.d Educators use technology to convene and empower a broad community including families, school leaders, and mentors to help students achieve their learning goals.
Collaboration is truly essential in the field of education. Attempting to navigate every challenge in isolation is not only unproductive, but it also risks losing sight of what is most important—student success. Working together allows educators to share perspectives, distribute responsibilities, and ultimately create stronger outcomes than any individual could accomplish alone. The artifacts I selected highlight two examples of meaningful collaboration that have shaped my professional growth.
This first example comes from ELRC 4249, where I partnered with two colleagues from different states to conduct a study on educators’ perspectives regarding AI in the classroom. This project demonstrated how collaboration across diverse backgrounds can strengthen research by incorporating multiple viewpoints. The results were not only informative but also more reliable because they reflected a broader range of experiences.
This second example involved designing a collaborative project for students using Google Slides. This activity helped students develop the skills needed to work together effectively, share ideas, and contribute equally to a common product. Beyond teamwork, it also introduced them to the practical use of digital collaboration tools, an essential skill for both academic and professional environments. These experiences reaffirmed my belief that collaboration is an essential part of learning for both teachers and students.