Christopher Cheung: Fostering Collaborative Learning with Technologies

From KNILT

Fostering Collaborative Learning with Technologies


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Introduction

Do students in your course need to work on group projects or assignments? Do your students always produce their best work? Do you think your students would benefit from being able to collaborate more effectively? If so, then this course is for you!

The idea that students should work together to co-create knowledge and understanding is a Constructivist idea that stresses the importance of individual and social construction of knowledge through discovery and interaction (Larson & Lockee, 2014). In order for this construction of knowledge to take place, students need to be able to collaborate effectively both inside and outside of the classroom, using a variety of methods and technologies. The purpose of this mini course is to teach you how to leverage an array of collaborative technologies in your courses to help your students collaborate more effectively. By studying the different collaboration methods and technologies outlined in this mini course, participants will have a better understanding of the importance of collaboration in the classroom as well as how to make it happen.

Course Logistics and Objectives

This course is designed to be asynchronous. That means you can work through the units and lessons at your own pace with little to no guidance from the instructor. There are no deadlines for completing this mini course, but in order to get the most out of this mini course, you are encouraged to be proactive, complete all of the assignments to the best of your ability, and reflect on your experiences throughout this mini course.

There are six units, each with one or more lessons that teach you about that Unit's topic. Prior to completing the Unit, you will need to complete various activities. These activities are designed to reinforce key concepts as well as get you to critically assess each of the mentioned technologies to see if it can improve your class. When answering the reflection questions for each unit, there is no need to write down and submit your responses; these questions are designed to spark critical thinking and reflection.

At the end of this mini course, you will be able to:

  • Explain how collaboration and technology improve student learning and understanding
  • Describe different types of collaborative technologies
  • Implement collaborative technologies to create engaging and interactive classes

Please note: Although the course starts with Unit 1 and ends with Unit 6, Unit 2 through Unit 5 can be taken in any order.

Unit 1: Collaboration and Technology

This is the first unit of the mini course and focuses on the importance of collaboration and a general overview of the different types of technologies.

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  • Explain the importance of collaboration in student learning
  • Discuss the differences between the various types of collaborative technologies

Lessons

  1. What is Collaboration and why is it important?
  2. Different Types of Collaborative Technologies

Click here to access: Unit 1: Collaboration and Technology

Unit 2: VoiceThread

This unit focuses on VoiceThread, a web-based tool that allows users to foster asynchronous content-based discussion.

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  • Explain in depth benefits of text, audio and video in asynchronous discussion
  • Create, comment and share a VoiceThread

Lessons

  1. What is VoiceThread and how do I use it?
  2. Exploring Potential Uses for VoiceThread

Click here to access: Unit 2: VoiceThread

Unit 3: Google Drive

This unit focuses on Google Drive, a document creation and sharing tool that allows users to create documents and share them with collaborators.

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  • Understand and explain the benefits of Google Drive
  • Demonstrate the creation and sharing of documents with others

Lessons

  1. What is Google Drive and how do I use it?
  2. Exploring Potential Uses for Google Drive

Click here to access: Unit 3: Google Drive

Unit 4: Web Conferencing

This unit focuses on web conferencing, including different types of web conferencing tools and programs.

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  • Identify various types of synchronous web conferencing tools
  • Hold online meetings using a variety of tools and programs

Lessons

  1. What types of web conferencing tools are there?
  2. Exploring Potential Uses for Web Conferencing

Click here to access: Unit 4: Web Conferencing

Unit 5: Discussion Boards

This unit focuses on asynchronous text-based discussion boards.

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

  • Explain the benefits of text-based discussion
  • Incite online discussions to further student understanding

Lessons

  1. What makes discussion board tools beneficial to education?
  2. Exploring Potential Uses for Discussion Boards

Click here to access: Unit 5: Discussion Boards

Unit 6: Implement and Evaluate

This unit is dedicated to the implementation and evaluation of the various collaborative technologies taught in this mini course.

At the end of this unit, students will:

  • Design a lesson plan and learning activities involving one or more of the collaborative technologies discussed
  • Evaluate the lesson planning process and utility of applicable collaborative technologies

Lessons

  1. Picking Collaborative Technologies

Click here to access: Unit 6: Implement and Evaluate

References

Larson, M. B., & Lockee, B. B. (2014). Streamlined ID: A practical guide to instructional design. New York, NY: Routledge.

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