Interpersonal+and+Collaborative+Skills

=__What are INTERPERSONAL and COLLABORATIVE SKILLS?__=

Learning how to collaborate and work with others as a member of a group has long been a vital skill. With the introduction of new technology, new forms of team work and collaboration have developed. No longer must all members meet in the same place at the same time; teams are now free to collaborate over great distances and time spans. The world truly is becoming more globalized and it is becoming increasingly more important that tomorrow’s workforce is equipped with the skills to effectively communicate and collaborate in this new global world.

Interpersonal skills are, by definition, the skills that people use to interact with one another. Collaboration is, by definition, the working together of two or more people to accomplish a common goal. Obviously, in order to effectively collaborate, a person must be in possession of certain interpersonal skills.

P21 definition of collaboration includes three major points: 1. “Demonstrate ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams;” 2. “Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal;” 3. “Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work, and value the individual contributions made by each team member” ("Communication and Collaboration," 2004).

The interpersonal skills required to fulfill this definition of collaboration would include an ability to communicate both effectively and respectfully. This would be aided with a knowledge regarding different cultures, religions, and ethnicities. The skills list would also include the ability to respectfully debate and the willingness to compromise as well as a sense of personal responsibility and accountability to the team.

=__What does this mean for learners?__= For the student, it is important that they not only realize the benefits of possessing interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively, but they must also know how vital these things will be in their futures. Regardless of the medium of communication, the students that have the basic skills down will be able to thrive and accomplish much. Technology will always be advancing and changing the ways people communicate and collaborate; the basic skills of communicating and collaborating stand the test of time. = =

=__What does this mean for teachers?__= For the teacher, it is important that they are teaching these skills to their students. The students need to not only know the importance of the skills and be taught the skills, but they need be able to put the skills into practice. The teacher should allow the students to utilize these skills in a variety of settings, both face-to-face andthrough the use of technology. It is also important that students be taught the rules of communicating through technology (e.g., no typing in all caps). Wiske (2005) suggests that teachers who are not used to collaborating to get experience by doing it themselves. “Teachers who are not accustomed to collaborating within their classrooms may need to build up gradually to on-line collaboration” (p. 79).

=__References:__= "Communication and Collaboration." (2004). //Partnership for 21st Century Skills.// Retrieved on July 1, 2010 from [].

Wiske, M.S. (2005). //Teaching for Understanding with Technology.// San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.