Week 2 – Discussion 1

What is Collaboration?

As you just learned from completing the Collaboration in Inclusive Settings Hangman Interaction interactivity above, having strong collaboration skills is important when working with exceptional learners. The stronger your skills are in this area, the more successful you will be at meeting the needs of the children you are supporting. In this discussion you will explore some common collaboration strategies that you will likely use in your educational career working with exceptional learners.

To prepare for this discussion,

· Please refer to the Week Two Guidance for further tips and examples that will support your success on this discussion.

· Watch the video  Parents are Powerful Partners (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. .

· Read the article Positive Parental Partnerships .

· Choose two of the sections listed below from the article “Positive Parental Partnerships” to focus on in your initial post:

· Strengthening Collaboration Between Schools and Families	· Building Relationships and Trust
· Supporting Collaboration Through Active Listening	· Resolving Differences Through Collaboration
· Collaborating for Smooth Transitions	· Solution-Focused Collaboration

In your post,

· Put the two strategies you chose in the title of your post.

· Explain how the ideas of critically reflective practitioner, collaborative teaming, and communication strategies align with the two strategies you are discussing.

· Describe how you will work with your colleagues to bring these strategies to life.

· Summarize how you will you use these ideas in your future work in inclusive environments. For example, if you are obtaining your degree in Library Science, you would include how you will use these strategies within the library setting.

Week 2 – Discussion 2

Communication Styles Self-Assessment

As you learned in the What is Collaboration? discussion forum, there are a variety of ways that you can collaborate with colleagues, children, and their families. Equally important to understanding the different methods for collaborating is understanding your own strengths and weaknesses when working to support diverse learners in inclusive settings. In this discussion forum you will have the chance to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses related to communication.

To prepare for this discussion,

· Please refer to the Week Two Guidance for further tips and examples that will support your success on this discussion.

· Complete the  Office of Recreational Services Communication Style Quiz (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. .

· Read Are you talkin’ to me? (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

In your post,

· Place your main communication style (Demonstrator, Assertor, Contemplator, or Narrator) in the subject line of your post.

· Summarize your results from completing the Office of Recreational Services Communication Style Quiz. In your summary, make sure to include what you have learned about yourself from completing the quiz.

· Explain, based on your quiz, what are two things that come easy for you when communicating and what are two things that are more difficult.

· Discuss what you can do tomorrow to enhance the areas of communication that are more challenging for you.