Sunday, September 14, 2014

October Intel Session: Collaboration

Post here your plans for a new collaborative-style lesson or an activity gained from the discussions, videos, and websites we learned about today, then comment on 2 others posts.

52 comments:

  1. I like the idea with Wordle. Even with the younger students, we can let them type words that go along with lessons or units that we teach. They can then have the visual product to see at the end. It will also provide ownership when they see the word they chose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like to Wordle also. It will be a good way to show our Yo Soy (I am) with our Spanish Adjectives

      Delete
    2. I like this idea, too! I think I am going to use it for a "WorkZone Wednesday" lesson to help my homeroom continue to bond together.

      Delete
    3. I would like to use Wordle in my classroom when we are prewriting (brainstorming) a topic for an essay!

      Delete
    4. The kids love wordle. It really keeps them engaged. After today's PD, I can see using it as formative assessment to guide my instruction. Hadn't considered using it that way until today!

      Delete
    5. I plan to use wordle too. I think it is a great way to get my students to pull out the meanings in a story.

      Delete
    6. I was really getting into the wordle thing adding biology words. Not sure what yet, but I plan on using this for something. However, I've got to figure out why mine wouldn't work once I got to a certain point. I'm hoping it's because my Java needs updating. But the way my luck runs, it surely can't be so simple to solve. :)

      Delete
  2. I plan on using a Properties! quiz/check on Google forms next week in my math classes. Hopefully this will help me to gauge understanding and where I need to focus my attention the next day. If feasible, I will use Flubaroo to grade and post as a quiz.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I plan to use Google forms for more formative assessments, using it to check for understanding as an exit ticket. I would love to use voicethread if it was a free app

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've considered doing this with my class (not the voicethread)...let me know how it works for you.

      Delete
    2. I like the idea of an exit ticket. It allows you to quickly check progress without actually assigning a grade.

      Delete
  4. I enjoyed learning how to grade with Flubaroo in google forms. I learned a lot and I believe I can incorporate this as a form of formative assessment in my classroom. I can use it to guide my instruction for the next day's lesson.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like what I learned today about Flubaroo. I will use it with my Fact practice and assessments.

      Delete
    2. I agree with you Donna! I'm hoping that if I get my quizzes/tests in place on google that it will cut down on the time I spend grading tremendously!

      Delete
    3. I have used this several times and really love what it can do.

      Delete
  5. I plan to try to incorporate a quiz/test on google in some of my classes during this upcoming month. It has been my intentions for a while now to start posting test/quizzes on my moodle page but I never did. It seems much easier on google, so I'm going to give it a shot. I also plan to research the google group thing more and try to create groups for each of my classes so that maybe we can have online forums for each of the classes I teach. This could be used as an exit assignment maybe. I have used forums on moodle, so I have some ideas already in place that I could possible tweak a little. Our PD meetings have really helped me to improve my "google" skills, which is saying a lot. There is so much potential out there for improving the way I teach. It's all about "attitude" and "work ethic". You get out what you put in!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Google Groups is a new google app to me...let me know what you find out bout it and how you use it.

      Delete
    2. The quizzes on Google are very easy to make and easy to use. It's great to receive instant/real time feedback!

      Delete
  6. I am planning a lesson where most of the period is spent allowing students to discuss the importance of environmental concerns and issues. To kick start the discussion I plan to use a "Wordle" that I create using words the students come up with to describe their favorite things in our environment or things they can find value in from our environment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like this idea. I think I could tweak it to incorporate what students already know about a topic in math before we begin the unit.

      Delete
    2. That is a really great idea! Students will definitely be more interested in this conversation if they start it with what is important to them.

      Delete
  7. I like the round table discussion idea that I watched in one of the videos. I believe students could learn form listening to each others ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  8. There is such an emphasis on group work and while it is a wonderful tool in any classroom it appears that most teachers agree it is not the do all be all for everyone.In one of the videos it was obvious that one of the more challenged students was easily left out of the collaboration therefore out of the group.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I completely agree. I am afraid we may use group work too much or incorrectly. Any tool is great, but misuse/overuse could also cause problems.

      Delete
    2. Maybe one of the ways to improve this problem could be that students must comment a certain number of times, and you could even limit the number of times a student can comment or contribute.

      Delete
    3. I agree and plan to do more individualized instruction this month for students still struggling with the concept.

      Delete
    4. I noticed the same thing in one of the videos. And it happens in class very easily. The "smart kids" sometimes try to take over.

      Delete
  9. I would like to create a collaborative lesson where students would write a biography about themselves or a narrative story. In groups students could ask each other questions and give comments or suggestions for things that could be added or used to enhance their writing. I would also like to use the Google Forms for a quick exit ticket at the end of some of my lessons. Although I have used Skype in a previous lesson (nouns), I would like to find other ways to incorporate it into my lessons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like Skype. That sounds like a fun activity!

      Delete
    2. I like this idea and in Spanish class since they have to tell three things about themselves and three things they like and dislike they could use this to share about themselves

      Delete
    3. I really like your idea about the narrative story. I would like to do something like this with my students. Let me know how this goes!

      Delete
    4. One of the videos I watched had kids create their own blog pages - it was really cute, and they have to respond to one another.

      Delete
  10. We will be doing a unit on pumpkins and end up at the pumpkin Patch. Students will work together to create a video on what we learn about pumpkins.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Our classes will visit the pumpkin patch for a field trip. Making a video of what is learned is an excellent idea!

      Delete
    2. I look forward to seeing this. The kids will love making a video!!!

      Delete
    3. Great idea! I know your students will enjoy this learning activity. I can't wait to see the finished product!!

      Delete
    4. Sounds like a lot of fun. I know the kids will have a blast.

      Delete
  11. We have been learning about nouns and now are working on plural nouns. I plan to use all I have gathered and other pictures and video I gather to put together one video.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like fun! I know they enjoyed the last activity of dressing like nouns!

      Delete
  12. Intel Teach blog post 10-13-14
    I watched "Collaborative Learning Builds Deeper Understanding," and this was the most helpful and inspiring video. The English teacher had students sit around a big table (which I wish I had!!) and talk to each other. She had three different roles that she gave to certain students in the group.
    1. Scribe – This student would take notes on the conversation so other students could discuss freely.
    2. Mapper – This student would create a circle map with students' names in the positions they were sitting around the table. Each time a student spoke to another student (or the teacher), the mapper would draw a line between the two people on the circle map. It created a visual representation so that we could see which students were actually talking.
    3. Moderator – This student would keep time so that students wouldn't spend too much time on one topic or go away from one topic too quickly.
    I think I will use these group roles even within smaller groups, especially the mapper. I may use this even in class discussions. It's a quick and easy way to record which students are making more comments and which students need to work on speaking up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I watched that video as well and was equally impressed with that teacher's methods. I had seen the scribe before but not the mapper and moderator. I also liked the way she established a "safe" environment for discussions.

      Delete
  13. This week in my classroom I plan on using Google forms to send my students questions after a reading lesson. I am going to use Flobaroo to to grade each students' form after they submit. After the forms are graded I will let students collaborate in groups on any questions they missed. I want students to understand why they missed the question while receiving help from their peers. I will provide extra guidance for questions that need extra attention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like the idea of having students collaborate to discuss the missed questions. I also plan to do that this week.

      Delete
    2. Great idea about collaborating to discuss questions missed. That is probably the most important part of learning--figuring out why students missed what they missed.

      Delete
  14. I plan to continue using Google Forms as an assessment along with Flubaroo to grade them for immediate feedback to create small group, individualized instruction. Also, I plan to use Wordle to have students brainstorm an idea as an introduction to the lesson. Later, I will have them do another Wordle and compare how their thinking/learning (BIG WORDS) changed throughout the unit. In addition to focusing on collaboration through these tools, I plan to find more ways for students to apply what they have learned and demonstrate higher order thinking skills. In conjunction with this, I plan to differentiate my instruction more where some students may be working on a higher order assignment, while others are receiving more practice and direct instruction from me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like your idea using Wordle. This is something I will be using in my classroom as well!

      Delete
  15. I plan to use Google and Flubaroo to give my Algebra 1.1 students a quick exit quiz quiz on exponents. This is a tricky concept and kids often get the rules confused. This will be a quick way for me to check for understanding.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I liked the roles that the English teacher from The College Preparatory School assigned during group discussions. I have asked students to work as scribes before, but I have never had them moderate and note discussion patterns; I've always tried to perform both of these roles...with little success. Next Monday, I plan to have my AP students discuss four Lord Chesterfield letters; I will implement these two new roles for the activity. I am anxious to see them self-monitor their group dynamics and encourage more representative participation.

    ReplyDelete
  17. We are planning to read about different Native American tribes in the upcoming weeks. After reading about the different tribes, we are planning to have students work together to create a Google Presentation on the tribes. Students will do research both online and through books to gain additional knowledge. Students will collaborate with team members to summarize interesting and important information to put in their presentation and present it to the class.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I enjoyed the edutopia video about the school based in California. The round table is brilliant – a dream class – kids do homework, discuss, small class! I especially found the diagram of the conversation pattern to be intriguing.
    As far as collaborative plans – the week after HC - I have a building activity planned. I will separate my class by gender – all directions will be given to the females, not the males. We will begin Mary Wollstonecraft (British Lit 18th century), and her premise is that women deserve an equal education. I always use the example that if you give me the book, I can change the tire, no book-I’m STUCK! So, I am hoping this activity will engage my students before we begin studying.

    ReplyDelete