Ideas+and+Planning+for+a+Collaborative+Project

= = = Ideas and Planning = = for a = = Collaborative Project =

According to Wikipedia, [|collaborative learning] "refers to methodologies and environments in which learners engage in a common task where each individual depends on and is accountable to each other." Working collaboratively is about acheiving something that you could not necessarily acheive on your own.
 * //What is Collaborative Learning?//**

The University of Adelaide's [|Leap in to Collaborative Learning] document outlines that collaborative learning is a good idea because it emphasises student-centred tasks and student decision making by encouraging a focus on student-centred learning as well as fostering teamwork and the development of interpersonal skills. Collaborative learning for students learning another language is a great idea because it provides:
 * //Why is collaborative learning a good idea?//**
 * authentic reasons for communication which can motivate students to learn and use new language
 * opportunities for students to practice new language
 * opportunities to engage with and share their work with peers, nationally or internationally
 * opportunities to learn how to use new technologies


 * //To create an effective and successful online collaborative project you need://**
 * to set clear and measurable goals for what you want to achieve
 * to have someone to work with and set the project goals with them. Networking with other teachers will be covered in the last session, where there is a list of educational networks you might be interested in joining.
 * a reasonable idea of the different technologies you can use to achieve your goals

Kim Cofino (and Digital Literacy Specialist working in the international school system) has written a very clear and informative step by step guide to global collaborations that is very helpful when thinking about starting a project. Another one of her blog posts, How to Connect Your Students Globally, is worth a read too.


 * //What sorts of things you can do with the technology://**

There are lots of Web 2.0 technologies that allow these sorts of online projects to be rich, interactive learning experiences for students. You can
 * make and upload videos to a wiki (or to YouTube or TeacherTube and then embed them in your wiki)
 * upload video or images to Voicethread and have students comment on it. You could create a Wordle and add it to Voicethread.
 * create powerpoints and upload them to Slideshare, then embed them in your wiki to share them
 * have students communicate with each other through video chat using applications like Skype, or TokBox
 * have students work on documents together using Google Docs
 * have students work on online whiteboards together - here are some online whiteboards to try: CoSketch, Imagination Cubed, Scriblink, Dabbleboard.
 * have students create instructive screencasts to teach each other new words, sentences, concepts etc
 * have students join a network for the project using Ning, presenting their work there and leaving feedback for other students. technoChinese is an example of this - it's a work in progress! If you would like your class to join it, please email me: mcculloch.jessica.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

//**PROJECT IDEAS:**//

Here are some ideas for specifc collaborative projects. Please feel free to add your own to the list - it might be just what another teacher has been looking for!


 * students record and share videos about what their favourite sports or foods etc are - asking and answering questions.
 * students make a video of a fashion parade, asking the partner class to provide the commentary
 * students share images of their homes - asking and anwering questions in link ups with partner class. Each student could be individually matched a student from the partner class, creating a sort of 'penpal' project
 * students create games and other resources to teach a partner class some Chinese, nationally or internationally. Students then assess each other through the wiki, through live link-ups etc
 * students could collaborate on an extended piece of writing - one students writes a sentence, passes it on to the next etc. to write a story about a particular topic or character.
 * briefing students in China about things in Melbourne - making video of being out and about in Melbourne
 * Chinese new year - what it looks like where we are and where you are.
 * What happens at our school - making videos talking about things at school

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= = ADD YOUR PROJECTS HERE! =

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Project link: http://lunchboxproject.wikispaces.com || Grades 2-3 || Jess McCulloch || Hawkesdale P12 College || mcculloch.jessica.l@edumail.vic.gov.au ||
 * Project Details: (idea, topic, tools, timeframe, link etc) || Year Level || Teacher's Name || School || Contact ||
 * The Lunch Box Project - students from China and Australia share and talk about what they eat for lunch. Using: wiki as project base to upload images, audio, videos etc, powerpoint and slideshare to share images, skype to chat to students, audacity to record audio to upload to wiki

Image: '[|Incandescence]' from www.flickr.com/photos/35237096015@N01/642908