This is a difficult question to answer Eric. MIT has evaluated ways to do something like this but has not yet implemented them. There are some simple ways to 'share' the code and collaborate.
Here is a recent discussion Make apps with more people
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If the code.appinventor server (instead of the main AI server) is used to build THEProject, multiple students can access the same Project if they share the Project Entry code. This server can be used without an eMail log in; it requires a pass code. If the students share the pass code, all can access the Project but NOT AT THE SAME TIME. Do you know what the code server is?
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A student can create a Project aia and share the aia with the other student. When he/she is finished modifying the Project, he/she in turn shares it with 'other'.
Doing this like this could work but could result in 'code wars' ... one student changing another's coding intentionally or unintendedly and causing discord that would need to be resolved.
- Each student work on part of the Project and later merge the parts. For example, a Project with multiple Screens, each work on a different screen. Coordinating and getting all team buy in will be difficult and require students to know how to create the aia, possibly how to use the backpack tool, use the Project Merger tool (that is complex)
Others may have more ideas (watch this space for others comments and opinions). If any of this is appealing, let us know and someone could tell you how to structure the work flow. I suspect none of these options is without warts. All require more than a basic understanding of how App Inventor works.
Regards,
Steve