What is Collaborative Learning?
A library of more than 100 sound-enabled games and activities designed to accelerate learning through dialogue, discussion and debate.
Collaborative Learning is a series of cross-curricular activities designed to sharpen learning and foster shared communication. Each resource encourages children to work together, share ideas and build upon each others' thinking.
Developed in partnership with education consultant Stuart Scott, courses are proven to help children retain information while improving communication and language skills. Children are encouraged to work in pairs or small groups and record findings using TalkingPen technology that can then be assessed by teachers.
Delivery is two fold: download pdf content free and print out in your local printers as many copies as you wish. Or, buy professionally printed sound enabled cards and laminated playing boards for greater durability. It is cheaper to buy a finished resource rather than build, but advise you to try yourself before you buy.
Until 31 July 2013, membership to the library is Free. All activities are free to download and permission is given to make as many copies as you like. (This offer is restricted to teaching institutions in the UK. Companies, other publishers, consultancies, etc are not part of the offer and will be in breach of copyright if they use any of the material without prior written permission from Mantra Lingua)
There are two delivery options: free download/print pdf of activities or purchase professionally made ready to go activities:
A school may wish to download and print as many activities as they want. (Till 31 July 2013 the £75 Collarborative Learning Library subscription is wavered, and membership is FREE. All you need to do is register into the library. After registering, select the activities that you want and print them out using your school printers.) There is no restriction on the quantity that can be printed. An activity may have playing cards, A3 playing board and instruction manuals. We recommend that all components are laminated for durability since in-house printed paper is too light to withstand excessive handling. Where there may be board for games we further recommend that these are pasted onto a cardboard base. If you wish the components to be sound enabled, then you would need to use our recordable stickers and attach them at the relevant places.
The second option is for the school to buy an individual activity. Each activity is professionally printed on 300 gms card and sound enabled to work with the PENpal. A3 or A4 playing boards are laminated and the associated playing cards are delivered perforated. You can start using them instantly.
We have found that although it seems attractive to download, print, laminate and cut-out the cards yourself, it is in fact cheaper to buy the activity and get a truely longer lasting professional output. The paper is replaced with laminated cards, print is picturebook quality and sound spots incorporated invisibly - no need for stickers. The prices are very competitive to the costs incurred in Choice 1. As well as saving time and money, this option will allow schools to build a useful and attractive professionally produced Library that will grow to at least 200 activities by 2013. You will also be able to gain free access to the ShareLINK software system which further enhances collaboration among peers.
