Co-Teaching Collaboration

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Collaborative Teaching

2. A N I L L U S T R A T I O N O F T H E C O M P L E X I T Y O F
C O L L A B O R A T I O N I N S P E C I A L E D U C A T I O N
B Y M A R I L Y N F R I E N D A N D L Y N N E C O O K
A W H O L E G R O U P D I S C U S S I O N
Co-Teaching:

3. Understanding Co-Teaching
 Co-teaching in practice
 The evolution of co-teaching
 Unique Characteristics and Conceptual Confusion

4. The Evidence Base for Co-Teaching
 Professional Roles and Relationships
 Co-Teaching Program Logistics
 Student Outcomes in Co-Teaching

5. Constructing Meaning from
an Incomplete Knowledge Base
 Common Understandings and Differentiated
Applications
 Professional Preparation and Ongoing Professional
Development
 Integration of Co-Teaching into Larger School Reform
Efforts
 Development of a Research Base
 The Importance of Deeper Understandings

6. P R A C T I C A L T E C H N I Q U E S T O E N H A N C E C O -
T E A C H I N G I N T E R A C T I O N S
B Y P L O E S S L , R O C K ,
S C H E N F E L D , A N D B L A N K S
On the Same Page:

7. Communication
 Conduct an Honest Self-Examination
 Use Venn Diagrams to Identify Each Partner’s
Strengths and Needs
 Analyze Patterns of Communication

8. Preparation
 Develop Protocols for Meetings
 Use Timelines
 Design Lesson Plans Together

9. Instruction
 Teach Together and Monitor Student Progress
 Let Data Guide Decision Making
 Reflect on Co-taught Lessons

10. Conflict Resolution
 Respect Cultural Differences
 Discuss Minor Issues Before They Escalate
 Think First, Act Later
 Turn Differences Into Learning Opportunities

11. INTRO TO
CO-TEACHING
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12. Communication vs Collaboration
 Communication is
information being
transmitted from
one person to
another.
(Friend & Cook, 2003)
 “Collaboration is a
style for direct
interaction between
at least two coequal
parties voluntarily
engaged in shared
decision making as
they work toward a
common goal.”
(Friend & Cook, 2003, pg 5)

13. Co-Teaching
 Classroom teacher and special education teacher have
a shared responsibility for planning, delivering, and
evaluating instruction to a group of general education
and special education students (Friend & Cook, 2009)
 Occurs in a single classroom where teachers strive to
create a classroom community in which all students
are valued (Friend & Reising, 1993)
 Friend’s 6 Models:

14. One teach: One observe
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15. One teach: One assist
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16. Station Teaching
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17. Parallel Teaching
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18. Alternative Teaching
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19. Team Teaching
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20. Successful Co-Teaching Tips
 Planning
 Discuss your beliefs with partner
 Willing partners
 Attend to details and keep your promises
 On-going professional development
 Prepare parents
 Avoid the “Glorified Aide” trap
 When disagreements occur, talk them out

21. Successful Co-Teaching Tips
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 Find a common planning time
 Use Google Docs to plan (docs.google.com)
 Plan together and plan separately
 Agreements can be changed
 Work at it (together)
 Be flexible
 There is no one “right way” to do everything
 Be willing to give up total control

22. Key Characteristics of Collaboration
(Friend & Bursuck, 2009)
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 Voluntary
 Based on parity
 Requires a shared goal
 Shared responsibility for decisions
 Shared accountability for outcomes
 Based on shared resources
 Emergent – success increases with trust and
positive experiences over time

23. Scenarios
 Work in partners
 Read your scenario
 Discuss
 Share

24. Useful Websites
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 http://www.k8accesscenter.org/documents/AllHa
ndouts_000.pdf
 http://www.marilynfriend.com/
 http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Sect
ion=Home
 http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/cgi-
bin/cgiwrap/specconn/index.php

25. Remember co-teaching is like a marriage…
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