Collaboration skills in ecosystem building

The first thing in ecosystem building is to avoid ego thinking and move towards eco thinking. In ego thinking you concentrate on ‘I’, instead of “we”. In teachers' work, ego thinking manifests in individual work with ‘my subjects’, ‘my lessons’ and ‘my students’. On the contrary, eco thinking refers to teachers’ ability to see beyond the school environment and to understand the role of education in building a sustainable future. With eco-thinking teachers understand the importance of collaboration and they know how to make it happen in improving learning, in teachers’ teamwork, and in interaction with work-life. 

Collaboration does not always happen by itself, but it needs special skills. For example, dialogical methods can help teachers to build a solid ground for collaboration. They can be used with students, colleagues and with work-life partners.  The art of listening is crucial: In interaction with others, you do not just wait for what you are going to say in your turn, but you really pay attention to the one speaking. In learning ecosystems, all stakeholders need to be seen and heard, and their specific needs taken into account. Teachers are key actors in listening to students and work life partners, and creating conditions for co-creation. 

Further, in establishing a learning ecosystem, you need emotional intelligence, the ability to be aware, understand and manage your own emotions as well as others. As a teacher, it is crucial to be able to have emotional intelligence with your students, but also with your colleagues and other stakeholders in the learning ecosystem. When you are able to empathize, to understand the perspective of others, you are stronger in creating successful relationships.