Collaboration 411: Wikispaces Archive

Since Wikispaces is closing down, I’m moving my collaborative videoconference projects over to my websites and blog for archiving. Great project formats can still be used and adapted!

Note: This wiki was a collection of projects with contact and scheduling information. I’m keeping just the lesson plans and videoconference agendas, for archiving and ideas.


Turkey Talk

Classroom Preparation:
This project is modeled after Monster Match. Each class will create a turkey, describe it, send the description to the partner classes, and then make each other’s turkeys. During the videoconference we will see how well they match.

For more information, see the from Monster Match, realizing of course that we’re doing this with TURKEYS not monsters.

Turkey Talk Approved Materials: crayons, markers, pipe cleaners, tape, googly eyes, construction paper, glue, newspaper, shoe boxes, balloons, cups, bulletin board paper, paper plates, yarn.

Videoconference Agenda:
Welcome and Introductions

  1. Classroom A zooms in on their ORIGINAL turkey.
  2. Classroom B zooms in on the second turkey they created.
  3. Classroom A identifies similarities and differences.
  4. REPEAT switching roles.
  5. Classroom B zooms in on their ORIGINAL turkey.
  6. Classroom A zooms in on the second turkey they created.
  7. Classroom B identifies similarities and differences.
  8. Closing: Big round of applause for both groups!

Michigan Native American Tribes

Classroom Preparation:

In our class, the students are each making a poster on a Michigan Native American tribe and are gathering information on the history of the trip. We want to have our class present, and your class to present what you are learning about the tribes also. The students can ask each other questions as well.

Videoconference Agenda:

5 min. Introductions by both classes (tell a little about your school & area)
15-30 min. Presentations by each class. It may be helpful to rotate between the two classes doing a small presentation at a time.
10-15 min. Q&A time.


4th 5th Cinco de Mayo Holiday Traditions Bilingual

Classroom Preparation:
Each class will share holiday traditions for Cinco de Mayo.

The Michigan students are in first year of Spanish studies. This is mostly meant to be a “culture discussion” with teacher assistance with translation where needed.
The Texas/Florida students are in a bilingual classroom.

Videoconference Agenda:
5 min. Introductions of both schools. Tell about your community and show a map.
5 min. One class shares about holiday traditions.
5 min. The other class shares about holiday traditions.
5 min. Q&A between the students.


High School Culinary Arts Collaboration

Preparation
Each class should prepare a food demonstration for the other class. Some ideas include: how to prepare a food, knife cuts, how to fabricate a chicken and then prepare it; demonstrate cuts and make a soup or stir fry. Classes should also prepare some content and community related questions for each other.

VC Agenda
5 min. Introductions (a map, a little about your class and town, a interesting food/nutrition fact about your town)
30 min. Each class does a demonstration for the other class. Try to engage the other class in the demonstration by asking questions etc.
15 min. Share what you’re studying/learning. Ask each other questions, etc.


Snowman Swap

Classroom Preparation:
This project is modeled after Monster Mayhem. Each class will create a snowman , describe it, send the description to the partner class. Then, the class will try to create the other class’ snowman based on the written instructions.

Note: This would be a great project to reinforce geometry terms, measurement, and descriptive writing.

For more information, see the instructions from Monster Mayhem, realizing of course that we’re doing this with Snowmen, not monsters.

Videoconference Agenda:
Welcome and Introductions

  1. Classroom A zooms in on their ORIGINAL snowman.
  2. Classroom B zooms in on the second snowman they created.
  3. Classroom A identifies similarities and differences.
  4. REPEAT switching roles.
  5. Classroom B zooms in on their ORIGINAL snowman.
  6. Classroom A zooms in on the second snowman they created.
  7. Classroom B identifies similarities and differences.
  8. Closing: Big round of applause for both groups!

Day of the Dead Cultural Exchange

Videoconference Agenda:
5 min.: Welcome and introductions. Each class shares their location and brief introductions about their school.
30 – 40 min. Two presentations, one from each class, with a few minutes in between each to set up. (Participants can decide the order of presentations.)
5 min.: Debriefing and to say good bye. (Amount of time spent on each activity can be changed to fit the scheduling need of participants.)


Wikispaces to Blog Conversion Feedback

Thoughts on the conversion of wikispaces videoconference projects to this blog format? This conversion is a summer project for me, and feedback is welcome.

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