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One of the hardest things to do is to prepare our students and children for the future that lies ahead. Speaking with policy makers and education specialists over the last few weeks have been rather rewarding. I wrote about how we can future proof our students not long ago [here](https://steemit.com/steemiteducation/@alvinauh/future-proof-your-child-through-critical-thinking). However, that is not the only skill that should be emphasized. Another skill that should be he focus is now other than the skill of collaboration.

It should be emphasized not only because it's important but because it is only focused in most curriculum in passing only. Most teachers would focus on collaboration as a way to manage the students. I know I am one of those who would do that. But, having collaborative activities does not mean the child acquires the skill. The same goes when you place children in the same room to play, it does not mean that they are learning how to play together.

 Collaboration is a skill that needs to be taught the same way as how writing should be taught. Sure, we can leave the child or the student pick up the skill along the way, there is just one small problem. Most of academic assessments do not pay attention towards that skill. Most in this case of course is the eastern context, there are some emphasis in western education, but most assessment focuses on individual performance. Final exams are graded based on how the child performs individually. Furthermore, there are other factors at play which impedes students and children from acquiring this important skill. 

### **Measuring success**
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In most centralized governments, it is difficult to see what is going on at the lowest level. Which means, the best way to represent success is by scores, grades and statistics. While it is not exactly representative, that is the most efficient and easiest way to see how the students are doing. The problem is, grading collaboration can be difficult because it is a subjective skill. It also requires scoring in description, not numbers. As such, it is not a skill that can be measured practically. As such, we see a lot of ficus on exam scores instead, while we are moving away from that form of scoring in most countries, how can we prepare our children and our students?

We can do this by giving them an example and a role to play. Collaboration is generally about playing a part to achieve the overall objective. Each member of the group has a role to play and to achieve that, all the teacher or parent has to do is assign an achievable task. For example, the task is to write a 5 paragraph essay, your task is to write the first paragraph, while your friends will continue with the next paragraph. The teacher can emphasize on discussion as well, leaving the child to problem solve on how they can complete a task together. The teacher could provide an example for the child to model first, however this is only necessary if the child is not aware of how to do so. 

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As parents, team sports and activities are essential. I grew up playing mostly individual sports, as such, I find it difficult working with others to complete a task. Team activities focuses a lot on working together while training and doing something together. Everyone has a role to play to achieve the objective and everyone is important no matter how big or how small the role. Such an idea however can be difficult to achieve due to culture and society. 

 
### **Culture and society**
In most eastern culture and society, a heavy emphasis is placed on exams, this is because good grades still means better opportunities and thus the idea that one should rely on oneself to achieve success is still the focus in schools. While this may not be true in your culture, it is rather impossible to go against culture and society, so one of the ways would be through reassurance and guidance. 

While that may seem rather obvious, it is a shift in paradigm in many cases. As an example, the focus of most teachers and parents would be on the results, as such, the motivation would be geared towards achieving those grades through completing the necessary homework or studying the necessary topics. However, this is normally a solo affair for the child or student. Collaboration in this case can be achieved through study groups, working together to study one topic and to teach it to the group. While most will see this as a waste of time and it is something that is not normally done, such a method does help in retaining knowledge. Teaching a subject does help retain 90% more information than reading it alone. This is seen in many studies, as such, no matter the age, the students should be given an opportunity to teach what they have learnt. 

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### **Conclusion**
With the changes in our society and economy, working collaboratively has become ever more essential. Success often is dictated not by what you can do but how well you can work with others. To that end, even if this skill is not emphasized in the curriculum, teachers and parents should try to inculcate it one way or another, this is because it will better prepare the child for the future working world and in a way, future proof the child. Equipping them with the skill they need to face any challenge this ever changing world can throw at them. 

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