Cooperative Learning

Like many strategies in education, cooperative learning is not a new idea. It is an idea that is gaining favor once again as PBL is becoming mainstream and the job skills focus less on content knowledge and more on skill development. According to a Gallop poll report (Read at this link),   in collaboration with Microsoft Partners in Learning and Pearson Foundation, "real world problem solving" is the skill most necessary for success in today's job market. The report specifically references that technology use in the classroom is not preparing students for the collaborative technology skills necessary in the real world. We can change that! The tools presently available to use allow the delivery of instruction to shift, making the real world connections with content and providing collaborative opportunities for growth. Most technology tools also allow teachers to track individual student participation and contribution, one of the difficulties associated with group work in the classroom.

Featured iPad Apps

As the Gallop poll results show, students need to be engaged in group work that requires collaboration long-term. To be successful, students need to have a way to organize their information, ideas, and products. While there are many options of Apps and web-based options, the Lino app allows all of the above in a visually pleasing and easy to manipulate format. Free from the iTunes stores, the developers describe the app as an "online stickies service that offers stickies and canvases. You can post, see and peel off stickies on canvases freely. Stickies posted from iPhone/iPad App can be accessed with PC browsers". 

By creating a group, students can use the tool collaborative. View the explanation on the Lino website:  or watch the teacher demonstration video of how he uses Lino in his classroom.

Maximizing Google  

Many Google Drive Apps are made for collaboration. Within Google Drive; documents, spreadsheets and presentations can not only be shared but become collaborative projects. Collaboration can be in real time, allowing discussions using the "chat" feature:

        

While teachers understand the power of group work done well, there are difficulties with the process that seem consistent. Two of the most difficult to overcome, without the right technology, are accountability of contribution and the need to occassionally work outside of the classroom. Google Drive apps solve both of these problems, allowing students to access and edit the shared material from anywhere they can access the web, and allowing the teacher to track individual contributions through the "revision history" feature. The video below provides an overview of both of these features.

Getting the Most Out of Your Learning Platform   

The popularity of Wikipedia introduced the world to the concept of a "wiki". It is synonymous with online collaboration and students quickly realize the real world application.  Applications in the classroom are almost limitless. For instance, science classes could create a Wikipedia like encyclopedia of concepts throughout the course. Social Studies could assign note-takers, with shared note files in the wiki. English classes can create poetry wikis to share. And math could create a wiki repository of "help" videos, either created by students or located online. For better understanding of the concept of a "wiki", visit the TeachersFirst Wiki Walk-Through Page.

 For ideas of how to implement wikis, as well as step-by-step instructions and tips for creating a wiki in Moodle, view the video below. The video is quite lengthy at almost 10 minutes, but the content example, as well as detailed instructions, are well worth the time.

Twitter Friday Follow 

While Kagan has a product to sell, their tweets often feature articles, links and blogs related to cooperative learning as well as pictures and examples of cooperative learning in the classroom. 

Hybrid or Blended Learning

With the integration of 1:1 technology presenting classroom management and instructional delivery challenges, converting to a blended or hybrid class can be a viable solution. The secret is to view the transition for what it is: a process. The great thing is that the popularity of blended instruction, as well as the research that supports the method as more effective than face-to-face traditional classroom or online, makes professional development options easy to find. A great introduction to the topic will take place during the Twitter #MichEd chat Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014. Co-moderator, Chris Stanley, will share his experiences in his 3rd year as a hybrid class instruction. The chat will be built around Chris' recent blog post on the topic: "Teaching in the Hybrid Class". As always I am willing to support you at whatever step you are at in this process. Below are some suggested tools that could support blended learning.

Featured iPad Apps

The best apps for your class are the ones that allow students to participate, access and create based upon your content. As we continue to find the right tools for the job, students and teachers will use different tools. One way to take advantage of the iPad app display is to use the built in feature that allows any website that you choose to be placed on your screen as an app. 

Maximizing Google       

One of the Google Apps that is often overlooked is Google+ communities. There are a number of ways for educators to use this tool: from communication with students or groups to developing professional learning networks. Are you the only Physics teacher in the school? There is a community that will connect you with other Physics teachers around the state, country or even the world. ETML has some helpful blog posts to get you started: "Everything Teachers Need to Know About Google Plus" and  "10 Google Plus Communities for Educators".

Getting the Most Out of Your Learning Platform   

When transitioning to a blended or hybrid classroom, the platform from which you deliver content is a critical decision. There are pros and cons to the various platforms we use, as addressed in this article in a previous post. Here are some considerations for the advantages of developing your content in a Moodle Course:

• Pre-packaged lessons and units can be added with ease (such as content from Florida Virtual Courses, ReadWell Units from the WriteWell Curriculum, and teacher created materials from Michigan Learns Online.
• While there is a learning curve, you never reach a limit to what your platform allows as you continue to build your skills and practice.
• As a true learning management system, students are prepared when they reach college and University as many courses (not just blended or online) use a learning management system.
• I am here to help! In addition to videos, help docs and experience, I can assist you virtually or with scheduled PD. 

Twitter Friday Follow 

Chris Stanley, who will co-moderate the #miched chat on Wednesday, April 2nd, has been part of the hybrid course implementation at Fraser High School for the past 3 years. His tweets highlight success in his classroom, blog posts, and beneficial articles. 

Library News

Choice book projects are a great way for students to be exposed to content area concepts, meet the reading requirements for college readiness standards and explore topics of personal interest. This is a great way to extend content area learning. Consider booking collaboration time to create a project or assignment rubric. April breaks will make the month pass quickly! Let's start planning today.

iPads can be a great tool for an independent reading project. Students can choose digital books or create projects. The article "23 iPad Alternatives to the Book Report" is a good place to begin.