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Power of Audience:Collaboration in 21st

Century Literacy

Perri SherrillBozeman High

School Bozeman, MT

Tom Zuzulock

Bozeman High School Bozeman,

MT

Collaboration, as Randy Nelson [Dean of Pixar University] observes, is not the same as cooperation. Cooperation only requires that the efforts of different people be synchronized in some way. They may be doing completely separate tasks at different times yet still be cooperating, as long as one supports the completion of another one. This is the typical modus operandi of industrial assembly lines and the linear processing of many administrative tasks. “The creative impulses of most people can be suffocated by negative criticism, cynical putdowns or dismissive remarks.” —Ken Robinson, Out of Our Minds

Cooperation Is Not The Same As Collaboration

Example of Cooperation: “Peer Editing”

This Is CollaborationCollaboration, on the other hand, involves people working together in a shared process in which their interaction affects the nature of the work and its outcomes. Collaboration is a process of improvisation that, according to Randy Nelson, has to be based on two key principles. First, all participants, “accept every offer that is made.” The aim is not to negate other people’s contributions but to build on them, a process known as ‘plussing’. Second, “always make your work partners look good.” The aim is not to judge what they produce but to help make something of it and raise everybody’s game. —Ken Robinson, Out of Our Minds

In Randy Nelson’s Own Words

Principles of Collaboration

•Accept Every Offer

•Plussing

•The principles of the collaborative process become the language of the classroom: Students will ask, “How do I plus this?”

Our Collaboration

•Work together to add authenticity to student writing

•Determined need to focus on AUDIENCE•We, as teachers, are inauthentic audiences, hence

students’ willingness to submit !@#$ to us.•Author’s perception and expectations of audience•Audience’s perception and expectations of author

•Identified Google docs as the tool

•Common Text Model: “So Tsi-Fai” and Finding Forrester

Nathaniel and Sarah: When It Works

•Clear understanding of relationship

•Valuing audience

•Accepting and Plussing at Its Best

Nathaniel ReflectsDear Editor, otherwise known as Sarah,

    Thank you for your help with my paper. I am sure that it would never have been able to be as good as it is now without your critique of it. Though it was odd having a conversation on the side of a computer screen and still having a class where I see you each day, your input was able to give me some insight that I would not have otherwise seen. It is always nice to have another perspective. I have got to say, we make an awesome team!!! ;)

Sincerely the Writer, otherwise known as Nathaniel

A Sample Revision History from Sarah’s Collaboration with Nathaniel

(and Others)

Sarah Reflects

Challenges of Audience•John lamented, “This kid hates me.”

•Unfamiliar, aggressive PLUSSER

•Rocky Road for Rocky• Judgmental tone in collaborator’s comments

•Natty Goes too Far•Social dynamics overwhelm the collaboration• Inappropriate interaction resulted in violation of

district Acceptable Use Agreement

“This Kid Hates Me”

Rocky Road

Hi, Rocky doesn't know I'm writing to you. I was helping Rocky edit his essay on So Tsi-fai. I'm concerned with the peer editing. The comments from the student who is editing his work are rude, mean and nasty! Rocky struggles enough with reading and writing, this is really hard on him. Could you please either tell  them to tone it down or compensate with a few extra nice words for Rocky?Thanks, I know you go over and above to help him. If he get's too frustrated, he will shut down.Thanks again.

Email from Rocky’s Mom

Going Too Far

Now, We’re Going Live

Power of Audience:Collaboration in 21st Century

Literacy

Perri SherrillBozeman High

School Bozeman, MTperri.sherrill@bsd7.or

g

Tom ZuzulockBozeman High

School Bozeman, MT

tom.zuzulock@bsd7.org