Collaboration in the Digital Classroom

Course materials are all online and provided by eNetLearning and can be downloaded to participants' computers.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Collaboration in the Digital Classroom is an interactive e-learning experience that offers an in-depth look at collaboration with a focus on online collaborative tools. In this course, teachers see how collaboration helps students develop 21st century thinking skills, deepen content understanding, and prepare them for the global world. Teachers learn how to plan and manage collaboration activities that integrate online collaborative tools increasingly part of our globally connected workplaces. They follow two teachers as they implement collaborative experiences in their classrooms. The course offers opportunities to apply the collaboration concepts with action planning exercises.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

• Describe and identify why collaboration is an important skill for now and in the future.
• Create purposeful and real-world collaborative experiences by using the Digital Collaboration Framework.
• Create lessons incorporating online collaborative resources.
• Develop a variety of methods, assessments and rubrics for evaluating collaboration processes.
• Create a variety of lessons for appropriate and safe online behavior.
• Model and provide safe and ethical use of the Internet to support teaching and learning.
• Develop a checklist of strategies to help students become skilled digital collaborators.
• Demonstrate and incorporate International Society for Technology Education for Teacher and/or Administrator skills.

TEXTS, READINGS, INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES:
Course materials will be provided via eNetLearning and within the course modules.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
In order to receive credit for the course, participants must attend and actively participate in all class sessions unless alternative arrangements are approved in advance.
Assignments need to be completed by the due date assigned by the instructor.

1. In class activities:
   1. Attend opening class session and participate in class discussions, projects, and activities.
2. Online activities: Each student will complete the following:
   1. Assigned readings and research on resources
   2. Complete all Modules and Lessons
   3. Participate on all discussion forums within each module
   4. Completed Collaboration Action Plan
   5. Participate in final sharing session

GRADE DISTRIBUTION AND SCALE:
Grade Distribution:
Attendance at face-to-face session 10%
Participation in online discussions 30%
Action Plan Completion 50%
Showcase Session 10%

Grade Scale:
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
59% and below F

We use the Letter Grade. (A-F)

CLASS SCHEDULE
This "blended-learning" course will include at least 6 hours of face-to-face and/or on-line web conferencing components and an on-line facilitated course that will include 30 hours of interactive tutorials, exercises, individual work, and facilitated discussions. The course work will take place over a 6-8 week period immediately.

Week One: Orientation
Overview of course requirements and resources

1. Face-to-Face and/or Synchronous Web Conferencing
2. Introduction to on-line course delivery application
3. "Getting to Know You" Discussion Forum
4. Begin Module 1: Collaborative Classrooms

Week Two: Module 1: Collaborative Classrooms
Module 1 introduces collaboration and how it benefits 21st century classrooms. This module provides examples of collaborative classrooms and introduces ways to implement collaboration activities in your classroom with and without technology.
Outcomes:
• Understand why collaboration is an important skill for now and the future
• Become familiar with the Digital Collaboration Framework
• Understand the benefits and challenges of a collaborative classroom
• Become familiar with the traits of collaboration

Lesson 1: Collaboration Basics for a Digital World
Lesson 2: Collaboration Planning
Lesson 3: Collaboration Benefits
Lesson 4: Collaboration Characteristics
Lesson 5: Module Review

Week Three: Module 2: A Framework for Digital Collaboration
Module 2 introduces the Digital Collaboration Framework. This Collaboration Framework will help you strategically integrate collaboration into your instruction and ensure collaboration is purposeful, meaningful, and effective. This approach helps students better experience the benefits of collaboration.
Outcomes:
• Learn how different collaboration purposes can achieve learning objectives.
• Understand how to use the Digital Collaboration Framework to design purposeful collaborative experiences
• Review methods and instruments for assessing collaboration processes

Lesson 1: Collaboration Purposes
Lesson 2: Design of Collaboration Activities
Lesson 3: Assessment of Collaboration
Lesson 4: Module Review

Week Four: Module 3: Tools of Collaboration
Module 3 explores online tools that support collaboration in the classroom. You will use project scenarios that integrate collaborative tools to help you locate and integrate online tools for your projects. You will also learn strategies for using new tools now and in the future.
Outcomes:
• Understand the differences between the old Web and the new, more collaborative Web
• Review different types of Web-based tools and how they can support collaboration
• Learn how to find and choose the best tools for the job

Lesson 1: New Tools for Collaboration
Lesson 2: A Closer Look at Collaborative Tools
Lesson 3: Collaborative Tools for Your Future
Lesson 4: Module Review

Week Five: Module 4: Collaboration Strategies
Module 4 explores how technology tools familiar to many students can help students move from being online communicators to being skilled digital collaborators. This module also examines ways you can communicate to students and parents how your classroom will enforce ethical, safe, and legal online practices.
Outcomes:
• Build on the digital skills students use daily to support digital collaboration
• Investigate strategies to help students become skilled digital collaborators
• Examine ways to help students behave ethically online

Lesson 1: Effective Digital Communication
Lesson 2: Confident Digital Collaborators
Lesson 3: Ethical Digital Collaboration
Lesson 4: Module Review

Week Six: Module 5: Collaborative Classroom Management
Thorough planning and preparation is the best guarantee for successful collaboration in the classroom. In Module 5, you will learn how to promote safe use of technology, manage and support collaborators and their technological tools, and handle the unexpected challenges inherent in collaborative projects.
Outcomes:
• Understand and promote appropriate and safe online behavior
• Learn how to manage and support collaborators
• Learn strategies to set up and provide access to technology for collaboration
• Prepare for unexpected challenges that can occur with online collaboration and technology

Lesson 1: Safe Collaboration
Lesson 2: Collaborator Support
Lesson 3: Technology Management
Lesson 4: Unexpected Challenges
Lesson 5: Module Review

Course Wrap-Up

• Final submission of completed Action Plan
• Final evaluation and wrap-up activities