Sessions at ISTE 2011 Annual Conference and Exposition about Student Participation

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Topic: Student Participation

Wednesday 29th June 2011

To Infinity and Beyond with Innovative Online Discussions and Projects

by Catlin Tucker and Colt Briner
[Concurrent Session : BYOL]

Wednesday, 6/29/2011, 1:15pm–2:15pm

Catlin Tucker, Windsor High School with Colt Briner

Experience the limitless possibilities of a structured online discussion tool: dynamic discussions, community-building activities, student-driven projects, and collaborative creative and formal writing. You'll leave inspired!

This session will provide attendees:
- Support materials to aid them in creating and maintaining a safe space online- focusing specifically on “Dos and Don’t of Student Online Communication” and “Say Something Substantial: Establishing - Clear Expectations for Student Participation".
- Strategies for designing discussion questions that drive higher-level thinking.
- An opportunity to explore innovative student driven projects/assignments compatible with Collaborize Classroom.
- Hands-on practice with Collaborize Classroom, a free online discussion tool available to teachers.
- Attendees will actively participate in example ice breakers and discussion questions.
15 minutes - Importance of Creating and Maintaining a Safe Space Online
- Establish clear expectations for student communication and participation online.
- Discuss online ice-breakers to build community and foster relationships.
- Attendees will complete a sample ice-breaker. Results page will show them the results/outcomes of their responses/discussion.

15 minutes - Art of Asking Questions
- Discuss strategies for designing complex, interesting questions that drive higher-level thinking skills.
- Attendees will experiment designing and posting questions related to their field of study.
- 15 minutes - Using an Online Discussion Forum to Facilitate Student Driven Projects/Assignments

Examples of the following will be posted on a sample Collaborize Classroom site for participants to explore: Challenge Based Learning Project, Literature Circles, Reciprocal Learning Opportunities, Creative Writing Assignments, etc.
- Attendees will visually “see” how an online discussion tool can support innovative learning experiences for students. Questions about the various projects/assignments will be addressed during this part of the session.

5 minutes - Close with a discussion of “Weaving Strategies”
- How can online discussions be woven back into the classroom to achieve optimal results for student learning?

10 minutes- Question and Answer
At 1:15pm to 2:15pm, Wednesday 29th June