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Welcome to Unit 4! I can't believe we are almost half-way through this semester! You all deserve many kudos for keeping up with the course in this challenging time.
So far, you've learned about the foundations of educational technology. You have explored G Suite tools and other tools that can be used to facilitate learning and you read a bit about meaningful learning with technology, universal design for learning, ISTE standards, and general knowledge about classroom technology integration. You have also watched some actual examples of how these principles can be integrated into classrooms.
In Unit 4 you'll look at the ways technology can support communication and collaboration in classrooms. You'll connect this back with your readings from previous units and new readings from this unit. But most importantly, you'll have an opportunity to find new tools to support your own learning.
TASK 1: Communication and Collaboration in the Classroom (Due Mar 7)
TASK 1: Communication and Collaboration in the Classroom (Due Mar 7)
Grade value: 3% of total grade
We will look at four important skills in education called the "4Cs" that are included in the 21st century skills. The 4Cs are: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Before we look deeper into what each means, I want you to do a quick activity first:
Let's go a little old school for a minute. On a piece of paper, write a little about each of the 4Cs (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity). As far as you know - what are they? What is their value (if any) in a learning environment?
Don't use Google for an answer! Let's just see where you are. It's perfectly okay to give an example or to even say "I have no idea."
Leave some space after your answer for each topic.
Take a picture of your paper.
Read the 4Cs article. (Focus on learning what the 4Cs are. (p.7-29))
With the photo of your 4Cs writing, use your favorite picture editing tool (mine is just the tools available on my camera app) to make some observations about your original ideas, what you've learned from the reading, and how they have changed based on reading the 4Cs article.
When done, post your edited photo on your "Collaborate" page. Don't forget to publish! (Not published = not submitted)
↑ Your final photo could look something like this, but feel free to be creative!
This was fairly a simple task, right? The next two tasks do require a bit of exploring and brainstorming, so I recommend that you get started on them right away when you are done with Task 1.
TASK 2: Identifying Communication and Collaboration Tools (Due Mar 14)
TASK 2: Identifying Communication and Collaboration Tools (Due Mar 14)
Grade value: 6% of total grade
For this unit, our primary focus is on communication and collaboration. Critical thinking is an important concept throughout all of our units and we'll focus on creativity and innovation in Unit 5. Now that you've had some background information on the 4Cs - let's look at some tools that can help support communication and collaboration in the classroom.
PART 1 - Explore the Tools
There are several sections of communication and collaboration tools to explore in your textbook. (It's important to note that all of the tools you explored in previous units could also be classified as communication and collaboration tools. (Take a few minutes to learn about a few more tools on the following pages. For now, just read each short section overview and become familiar with the different tools list in each section:
Blogging & Website Building p. 70
Collaboration & Project Management p. 85
Interactive Posters p. 136
Podcasting p. 185
Presentation p. 188
Writing p. 251
PART 2 - Reflect on Your Experience (3pt.)
After you've become familiar with the tools listed in PART 1, think about a project you had during last fall or an earlier semester. How might that project have been different if you used one of the tools you've just explored? What if you created a podcast for a reading response? What would it have looked like if you created an interactive poster for a presentation you were assigned? How might one of the writing tools have improved an assignment you had last semester? Select a previous project and a relevant communication/collaboration tool, and create an example of what the finished product might have looked like if you had used this tool.
For instance, you could: write the beginning of a blog post on a former research paper topic, create a Padlet that you could have used for a class discussion during a presentation you had fall semester, design a ThingLink to label some diagrams in preparation for a test, share course materials through one of the collaboration tools, or create a Sway about a topic from a spring semester class.
The main requirement is that you try something NEW to you. (You must try out a NEW tool that you have not explored before.) You don't have to recreate the entire project - just give us an idea of how it might be different if you used a different tool.
Once you've created your example, add a link or a screenshot (whichever makes the most sense for the tool you selected) to your "Collaborate" webpage and write 4-5 sentences describing what you created and what you learned. Make sure to include the name of the tool you selected and link to it. And don't forget to publish your page!
PART 3 - Share Your Work with the Class (3pt.)
Post the same link or screenshot along with the 4-5 sentences description to this shared Padlet wall. Use the format "LAST NAME_FIRST NAME" as the post title.
Add comments to TWO of your classmates. Please show in your comment that you have thoroughly looked at the classmate's work and provide a constructive feedback. (Your comments should reflect the content of the peer's post.) Remember to include your full name and click the save button to get credit for your comments.
TASK 3: Classroom Scenario (Due Mar 21)
TASK 3: Classroom Scenario (Due Mar 21)
Grade value: 10% of total grade
Now that you have some experience using a number of tools that support communication and collaboration, it's time to apply what you've learned in a K12 setting.
** OPTIONAL:
For Tasks 3, you can work in groups (2-3 per group) if you want. You can directly contact classmates via "Classlist" in eLC. If you need help finding a group, email me at dy1@uga.edu as soon as possible. Note that I will have a slightly higher expectation for those working in groups than individually.
PART 1: Write a Scenario of Your Own Classroom (3pt.)
Read back through the "Inside the Lives of Three Tech-Enhanced Teachers" that you read in your textbook previously (pages 26-28). Each of these three teachers - Mara, Tim, and Denise - use technology to support, among many things, communication and collaboration in their classrooms. Take some time to identify the tools they are using specifically to support communication and collaboration.
Now, think about a teacher you've had recently. A teacher that would be open to new ideas and technologies. This could be a teacher you had in K12 or in college. What kind of communication and collaboration resources does that teacher already use? What new tools might be useful to them? Take a few minutes to jot down the type of work you did in that course and which tools you've learned about in previous units that might be useful to that teacher and the students in their course. What would it look like if these tools were used in the class/by the teacher you've identified?
On a new Google Doc, write a "inside the life" of the teacher you've selected - using the examples on pages 26-28 in your textbook. You may identify the subject area in your story - but do not identify the actual teacher. (You can use a made-up name.) The story should include examples of at least 5 tools being used to support the tasks and activities happening over the course of the semester. The textbook examples are approximately 5 paragraphs each - yours should be similar in length and detail. Insert this Google Doc onto your "Collaborate" webpage. (Follow these guidelines on how to do it correctly. Remember, I can't give you credits if I can't view your work.)
Please DO NOT add me as an editor. Your share setting should allow me to view your document WITHOUT the invitation.
Points will be DEDUCTED if I cannot view your document. (Open your page in incognito mode in Google Chrome to check if it's viewable.)
Before we move on to Part 2, watch the two videos below to see how communication and collaboration is not only important for students, but also important among teachers in sharing their ideas and getting support - using social media is a great way to do so. These videos will give you an idea on how you could organize your project for Part 2.
PART 2: Create a Resource Page (5pt.)
Now, you're going to take what you wrote for PART 1 and create a resource page that includes ALL of the tools and activities you described in your story. Pretend that you are a current educator and want to share some useful resources for other teachers around the country. Your resource page will contain links, tutorials, ideas, and ways to connect to other teachers using the tools.
Your resource page should be built in Plexie. You can create a free account using any of your email addresses. Here is a quick tutorial video on how to get started. I know this is an unfamiliar tool for many of you - do not be afraid to spend some time learning about it. (Getting out of your comfort zone is the only way that you can grow!)
You can see a simplified example HERE.
I just realized that for some reason the template that I have used for the example does not exist anymore. My alternate recommendation would be to use [Newsletters & Blogs -> Post #2] template, but you can of course use any template that fits your style. Feel free to be creative!
Your page does not have to look super fancy. Just make sure that the page is well-organized and includes all the necessary info.)
Your resource page should contain the following items:
A short overview of why you've chosen these tools.
ALL of the communication and collaboration resources that you shared in your "look inside the life" story. (There should be at least 5 tools.)
Visual aids that demonstrate each tool. (You can add screenshots or a thoughtfully-selected tutorial video for each tool.)
At least one item related to connecting with other teachers who also use one or more of the tools or activities you've listed. (See the first section of this simplified example. The first video above would also be a good example of how teachers connect with each other).
PART 3: Post your work! (2pt.)
When you have completed your page, copy the link to your Plexie page. (Here is how to do so.) Post the link & short description of your work on:
1) Your portfolio's "Collaborate" page. Make sure to publish your page!
2) Shared Padlet wall - Feel free to look through other classmates' resource pages and to 'like' or comment on the posts. Who knows? You might find a valuable resource that was just what you needed!
Great job! That's it for Unit 4. I can't wait to see all your creative works. Please make sure to email me if you have questions or concerns at any point in these tasks. The next set of tasks will be posted by Monday, March 22nd by noon.
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