Objective:

Students will collaborate on a research project, physically passing papers and notes to simulate the flow of information between group members. They will then create a physical flowchart (using paper and markers) to illustrate how their collaboration worked, demonstrating how information was shared and organized, similar to how data moves through a network through a computer network.

Materials Needed:

• Paper and markers for flowcharts

• Research materials (books, printed articles)

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Begin by asking the class, "How do we work together to share information on a project?" 

  • Explain that today they will work in small groups to research a topic by passing information between group members, just like how data moves through a network in a computer.

• Group Activity:

  • Assign students to small groups and give each group a research topic, such as "Local Heroes" or "Ecosystems" 

  • Each student will contribute by taking notes on their assigned section and then passing their information to another student, simulating data transfer in a network. 

  • Students will continue to pass information until each member has contributed to the group's understanding of the topic.

• Building and Sorting:

  • Once their research is complete, students will gather to build a physical flowchart that shows how the information was passed and organized. 

  • They will use paper and markers to create arrows and labels that represent how notes were shared, edited, and compiled by different members of the group.

• Testing and Refining:

  • After completing their flowcharts, students will review their diagrams to ensure they correctly represent the flow of information. 

  • They can revise their charts by adding labels or clarifying steps as needed.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each group will present their flowchart, explaining how they shared and organized information during the research process. 

  • They will discuss how communication and teamwork helped them complete the project and how passing information through a system allowed them to work efficiently.

Equity and Access:

Provide pre-made flowchart templates or sentence starters for students who need extra support. Pair students with varying abilities to ensure everyone participates and contributes to the project.

Real-World Application:

Discuss how collaboration in the classroom mimics teamwork in workplaces, where people often need to pass information or ideas to others, often digitally. Emphasize how learning to share and organize information effectively is a valuable skill.

CS Practice(s):

• Collaborating Around Computing: Although unplugged, students practice teamwork and information sharing, simulating how data is passed and organized in a digital system.

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students create a physical flowchart that models their collaboration process and the flow of information across a network.

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students identify how information must be passed and organized efficiently to complete their project.

Standard(s):

• CA CS K-2.NI.4

• CA CCSS for ELA-Literacy W.2.7

Objective:

Students will utilize a cloud-based platform (e.g., Google Docs or Microsoft OneNote) to collaborate on a research project, where they will collect information about a shared topic, such as an ecosystem or historical event. They will then use a digital tool (such as Lucidchart or Google Drawings) to create a flowchart that illustrates how the shared network aids in collaboration and information flow.

Materials Needed:

• Tablets or computers with internet access

• Access to a cloud-based platform (Google Docs, Microsoft OneNote)

• Digital flowchart creation tool (Lucidchart, Google Drawings)

Steps:

• Introduction:

  • Start by asking, "How do we work together on a project, even when we are in different places?" 

  • Introduce cloud-based platforms and explain how they allow students to work together from different locations, sharing and editing documents in real-time. 

  • Explain that today, they will collaborate on a shared document and create a flowchart to show how they used the platform to work together.

• Group Activity:

  • Divide students into small groups and assign them a research topic. Each group will open a shared document in Google Docs or Microsoft OneNote and begin adding information, assigning specific parts of the research to each member. 

  • They will work together to input data, type notes, and share findings in real-time using the cloud platform.

• Creating and Coding:

  • Once their research is collected, students will switch to a flowchart tool (Lucidchart or Google Drawings) to create a digital diagram that models how their collaboration worked. 

  • They will illustrate how information was added, edited, and organized by different members of the group and how the shared platform facilitated this. 

  • Encourage students to use arrows and labels to show how data flows between members.

• Testing and Refining:

  • After building their flowcharts, students will review them to ensure clarity, making adjustments where necessary. 

  • They can add details to clarify each step of the process, ensuring that their diagrams accurately show how the shared document helped them collaborate.

• Presentation and Discussion:

  • Each group will present their flowchart to the class, explaining how they used the cloud platform to share ideas and collaborate on their research. 

  • They will highlight specific features of the platform (e.g., commenting, real-time edits) and how those features made their work easier.

Equity and Access:

Provide simplified document templates and flowchart tools for students who need extra assistance. Ensure all students have roles in the group collaboration and that they understand how to use the cloud platform.

Real-World Application:

Discuss how cloud platforms are used in workplaces and schools for collaborative projects, team meetings, and long-distance communication. Highlight how understanding this technology is important in a connected world.

CS Practice(s):

• Collaborating Around Computing: Students work together in real-time using a cloud-based platform to contribute to a shared document.

• Creating Computational Artifacts: Students use a flowchart creation tool to visually represent their group’s collaboration process.

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students identify how cloud-based systems allow for collaborative problem-solving and show this in their flowchart.

Standard(s):

• CA CS K-2.NI.4

• CA CCSS for ELA-Literacy W.2.7