DigitALAD Hanbook_All sections_FV

9 C2. Professional collaboration Professional collaboration refers to the use of digital technologies for exchanging knowledge, ideas, and experience with other educators. The primary purpose is to discover new and improve existing pedagogic practices. Examples of use: Digital collaboration enables more frequent interactions among people. This leads to higher levels of engagement, belongingness, and productivity of individuals. Professional cooperation includes exchanging ideas and knowledge on a transparent context of communication. Some indicative examples of this competence are: • Collaborating with colleagues on a specific project or task in the distance. • Sharing resources, materials and knowledge with peers using digital means. • Developing digital educational resources. • Using professional networks to explore effective pedagogic practices and methods and a source of other areas of professional development. How can you enhance your professional collaboration? Several digital tools and innovative technologies offer flexible ways to connect with others, either working remotely or in the same place: • Make regular online group meetings with different network members (e.g., learners, colleagues, management, external educators, etc.). • Share opinions, experiences or ask questions in specific digital forums and platforms – be part of online communities. • Share educational resources and material with colleagues and invite them to do the same – upload your work to the cloud. • Use the integrated calendar of your email service to arrange appointments, meetings, or reminders. Innovative ways to make use of the competence in action Collaboration is a social activity. However, it differs from communication. Collaboration is about the contribution to existing knowledge and creation of innovation. Therefore, it requires formal changes in operation and strong cultural support within an organisation. Here are some ways to improve professional collaboration in your organisation: • Create digital social cohesion with connections of trust – connect with your colleagues on social networking websites.