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

Posted: 31. October, 2008 at 8:03 pm. Filed under: 21st Century Skills, Classroom Projects, Collaboration, Conferences, Global Awareness.
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