Connecting Classrooms- Collaboration Projects

So, while I was listening/watching Kim and Jen’ presentation  Connecting Classrooms Across Continents: Planning and Implementing Globally Collaborative Projects and taking notes, my thoughts were with our current collaboration project with Argentina.

We started out with a shared Google Document (screenshot below) to create a time line of shared activities as well school specific tasks each of the school was working on a weekly basis.

Each school adds color coded comments, time zone converted hours and dates. The Google Document is the collaborative workspace for the teachers involved.

To upload and share images, text and other media that will be created for and by the students we are using a Wiki.

So far we have left the wiki a private space, since students are creating a video with pictures and personal information.

The more I listened to Kim explain

• the importance of preparing the project
• defining clear expectations from BOTH sides to avoid disappointments
• communication, communication, communication
• authentic assessment, reflection, follow up

the more it becomes evident that I need to get more organized to make each collaboration project the best it can be.

The following are visuals created with MS PowerPoint 20007′s Smart Art ( I love that feature ) based on Kim and Jen’s K12 presentation. This is how the information and wealth of tips they shared made sense to me.

The Process of a Connecting Classrooms for Collaboration Projects

The Process in the Implementation Stage

Here is a template that I worked on with my colleague’s Paige McGee and Katie Bennett. You can view the template on Google Docs. Please let me know any suggestions you might have, that has helped you when planning and communicating on a collaboration project with other educators.

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K12 Online Conference- Connecting Classrooms Across Continents

Connecting Classrooms Across Continents: Planning and Implementing Globally Collaborative Projects
Kim Cofino and Jen Wagner

Here is the teaser of the presentation

While listening to the Kim and Jen’s presentation, I took the following notes

1. Getting started
   1. You need a technology toolbox- become familiar with different types of tools
   2. Get connected yourself- then your class- use existing network
2. Implementation
   1. Create your global classrooms
   2. Define project goals
   3. Identify standards
   4. Aim for enduring understandings- big, long lasting understanding for your students is the goal, not projects that is busy work
   5. Authentic assessment projects that give students a reason
   6. Explicit expectations among collaboration partners
   7. Organize stages and deadlines
   8. Create a breakdown list, who will be responsible for what
      1. Who will design a rubric?
      2. Who will create a wiki?
   9. Communication needs
      1. Via text?
      2. Via voice/video?
3. What’s next
   1. The reading connection- skype, wikispaces, google survey
   2. Location for students to share and receive information a students have or want to read. Ages K-6th grade
   3. Thereadingconnection.wikispaces.com

Different stages of project

1. Investigation/exploration
2. Planning how to create it
3. Create stage
4. Evaluation and reflection
5. Assess at the end of each stage, to get feedback

Find a mixture of tools

• Wikis  & blogs
  • Opportunity to share for participants
  • Text based, but can add different media
• Podcasts
• Skype
• Yackpack
• VoiceThread
• Bubbleshare, mixbook, scrapbook, Flickr
• Google Apps
  • Chat, forms, templates, google earth, docs

Some tips:

• Keep and evolve connections
• Combine and recombining tools from previous experiences
• Start small, and then grow from there
• Explore other projects
• Remove barriers before the projects begin.
• Keep communication open
• Make sure it is a good fit with your curriculum

There is the presentation’s wiki to continue adding to the conversation: http://globallyconnectedproj.wikispaces.com/

Technorati Tags: k12online08ki06

links for 2008-10-31

• ZaidLearn: 8 Free Screencasting Tools For Tony!
  (tags: screencasting tools)
• The eGranary
  The digital library project represents hundreds of hours by volunteer librarians and includes the collective contributions of hundreds of authors and publishers. These individuals have generously given of their time and resources to create greater learning opportunities for tens of thousands of scholars in Africa.
  (tags: library)