EDLD+5364+-+Week+4+Reflection

It is amazing how exciting the classroom can become with collaborative learning. With the mention of Thomas Friedman’s __The World is Flat__ (2005)¸ we are reminded of the numerous possibilities regarding communicating both locally and globally with the use of technology and the Internet. Many students are really social, especially at a young age. Social networks allow them to utilize these social skills in exciting new ways. There were so many ways to teach using collaborative methods that were described in Pitler’s book. I enjoyed learning about “how videos and presentations could be used as an effective group activity” (Pitler, 2007). Other techniques that were discussed included “web resources, Ask an Expert, Keypals, ePals, Web Quests, collaborative organizing, web-enabled simulation games, and communication software” (Pitler, 2007). Students can use website creation in so many ways. Some examples that were explained here discussed a “5 phase plan to build websites for cities to promote tourism by including a proposal and a presentation” (Pitler, 2007). There are numerous possibilities with having students to build a website. Learners can also work with “students in class or around the world” on “projects, calendars, blogs, wikis, and with collaborative organizing” (Pitler, 2007).

My students have been introduced to the Delicious bookmarking account that was mentioned, and some are still using this site currently. I also use ePals in my classroom, and many students enjoy the interactions and collaborative projects as well. We are currently preparing a presentation to share with these ePals students in Taiwan. Thinking now that I should have let them work together, I may actually have them combine some of their best slides into one presentation or post them to a website, which would be a great way for them to collaborate and organize their thoughts and topics. A challenge that I see with the various collaboration techniques is keeping students focused as well as keeping the various levels of learners interested. My main concern pertains to the discipline problems that can keep others from enjoying the learning experience. The higher level learners tend to finish quickly, and the lower level learners may become frustrated and quit. This is where I will have them work together I suppose to encourage and help one other. I am excited and want to incorporate many of these ideas in my classroom activities.

The videos that were assigned this week displayed some excellent ways to incorporate projects into the curriculum. “Students are the center of the learning environment and they use knowledge as they need it,” as it is explained in the Project Learning: An Overview video (Eutopia, 2009). I have witnessed that when students are empowered as well as given choices about their learning, they are more productive. The students in the videos this week also demonstrated their excitement to learn. I especially found it interesting when the students used “project based learning to mimic what scientists do” (Eutopia, 2009). This real world, hands on learning gives them an idea of what they could experience when they too go to work with others no matter if they are in this city or in another city around the world.

One important quote that stands out says, “We have not seen a real difference in the ways technology has been integrated into the classroom” (Solomon, 2007). I am sure that many teachers would enjoy using technology if they were well trained and given time to prepare and become comfortable with the equipment. Sadly, “today’s students, of almost any age, are far ahead of their teachers in computer literacy” (Solomon, 2007). I find it exhilarating when I ask a student to demonstrate a new computer skill for us to all learn, as they are usually pleased to do so. If we can communicate to teachers that it is acceptable to not know all there is to know about technology, maybe more educators would become comfortable with using various technology tools in their classroom. It is really difficult for anyone to keep up, as technology and equipment are continually being updated and created.

By the way, our group project is coming together nicely. Our Google doc has been a fabulous way to collaborate and share information. I have learned some new ways to present lessons, and I look forward to using them in my classroom. (see my posting from the web conference for ideas).

Edutopia.org (nd). Project Learning: An Overview. Retrieved on Oct. 5, 2009 from http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-overview-video.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 139-154.

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, 99-116.