Unit 3: Creating a Technology Supported Collaborative Learning Activity

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Unit 2: Benefits and Potential Issues with Collaborative Learning and Technology

Unit 1: Key Components of Designing and Implementing Collaborative Learning and Technology in the Classroom

Technology Supported Collaborative Learning

Course Objective

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the benefits and issues of implementing Technology Supported Collaborative activities into a unit through class discussions, and ultimately creating their own collaborative learning activity using technology.

Unit Objective

Given a topic for an instructional lesson, instructors will be able to create a high quality collaborative learning activity supported by the necessary technological tool that will result in the appropriate learning outcomes.

Lesson Example

I created a lesson in which 9th grade students, in groups of 3 or 4, used a graphing calculator to examine the features of a quadratic function. The "lab" had students determine how the values of a, b, and c in the function effect the graph of the quadratic function. View the activity by clicking on the link Parabola Lab.

Additional Collaborative Examples

Here are additional references of how collaborative learning was implemented in various discipline settings.

Math: From handheld collaborative tool to effective classroom module: Embedding CSCL in a broader design framework

Science: Collaborative modeling of the vascular system - designing and evaluating a new learning method for secondary students

English and History: Designing Collaborative E-Learning Environments based upon Semantic Wiki: From Design Models to Application Scenarios

Elementary: Collaborative Design Practices in Technology Mediated Learning

Assignment: Creating your own Lesson

1. Choose a topic to design a technology supported collaborative learning activity.

2. Design the activity using the Lesson Plan template: Lesson Plan Template, and include any supplemental material that would assist in describing your lesson.

3. Save your document using the following format: Name.Topic.doc

4. Upload your file to [Google Drive]

Next Unit

Unit 4: Reflecting on the Activity and Learning Outcomes