Protocol
Check individual learning after the group solution
One excellent spreadsheet can conceal four different levels of understanding.
Before you use it
- Use when
- A group produces excellent work but it is unclear who can now do the task.
- Avoid when
- One immediate check shows current performance, not lasting learning or how much the group work caused it. This is an original assessment check, not a tested programme. Keep it low-stakes and proportionate.
An idea to explore.
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Inspect the example, try the idea in your situation, then check your next move.
Why it matters
A group result does not show who can use the skill independently. A small related case makes that gap visible before you choose the next practice.
Steps
- Set a shared problem and give each learner a meaningful way to contribute reasoning.
- After the joint solution, ask each person to tackle a small related case without help from the group. Keep any access supports they normally need.
- Use the differences to plan support, not to shame the least experienced participant.
An example
A study group solves a logic problem together. Each member then handles a changed case, so the confident speaker's performance is not silently credited to everyone.
Check your result
Can each person use the chosen skill in the related case without a partner supplying the reasoning? Use any gap to choose the next support or practice.
Keep this limit in mind
- One immediate check shows current performance, not lasting learning or how much the group work caused it. This is an original assessment check, not a tested programme. Keep it low-stakes and proportionate.
My learning
Read. Recall. Repeat.
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EEF distinguishes structured collaborative learning with participation from merely seating learners together.
Claim basis: guidance. Claim limit: The individual exit task below is an editorial check, not a tested standalone programme. Source access: selected_html_passages; accessed on: 2026-09-17; inspected sections: ["What is it?", "Key findings", "How could you implement in your setting?", "How secure is the evidence?"]. Source note: Evidence is rated low with substantial heterogeneity; no exact optimal group size or guaranteed benefit is adopted. Agent scope review, 2026-10-11: EEF supports structured participation. The independent related case is original assessment reasoning, not a separately tested programme; immediate performance is not durable learning.
Collaborative learning approaches · What is it?; Key findings 2-3
All sources (1)
Edition and review
Version 0.1.0 · Published
Agent review: Agent editorial and scoped evidence review · 2026-10-11