Collaboration



Let's cut to the chase on this one. Wikispaces is the epitome of collaboration letting you post, publish, and share with ease! I honestly don't know what Rob and I would have done without it:)
 * __Example:__**

__**Tips:**__

Want to engage your students somewhere out there in the "cloud"? Edmodo offers a secure, social learning platform for teachers, students, and parents wanting that experience. It is a safe and easy way for students to connect, collaborate, share, and access homework on-line.

__**Example:**__ Select the image below to take a live look at Cool Tools Duel Group in Edmodo

**__Tips:__**
 * create an account, create a group within the account, then change the password
 * post assignments, announcements, take classroom polls
 * parents can receive notifications through email or text

So what is blogging really all about? It's the ability to let your voice be heard! Now, let's put blogging in the context of your classroom and let the students' voices be heard. Blogger is one of many options that will allow you to develop an online presence for your classroom. Depending on the age of your students, involve them in one or all of the aspects involved- designing, writing, editing, and publishing the blog. Now that is writing with a purpose!

__**Examples:**__

**__Tips:__**
 * Start off slow
 * Involve the students
 * Share with parents

One of the best ways I've found to engage a class of learners while watching a video is to have a back-channelchat open while the video is playing. TodaysMeet allows you to create a quick and easy chat room with features. After you are finished, save the transcript of the back-channel for use later. Really an effective tool while students are giving presentations to their classmates, that way peers can give feedback when it's fresh in their mind and/or ask questions.

TIPS:
 * Use the chat to ask questions about the video or the speaker. Asking pointed questions engages kids in what YOU want them to be focusing on, not about what they are doing after school.
 * Make sure kids have clear expectations ahead of time before starting a chat
 * Practice before hand and where

A simple Google account, with parent permission for younger children, or through a secure Google Apps for Education instance can give students and teachers access to online collaboration like you've never seen! **Word Processing**: Teacher's providing feedback on work done by students. Commenting and Discussion outside the boundary of the paper to engage students in thoughtful writing.

Spreadsheets/Forms
 * 9/11 Tribute Form and Data (@http://goo.gl/HehlG)
 * Surveys and other information collecting

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Lit Circle Collaborative Group Presentations:
 * Presentations**:

TIPS:
 * There are potential legal issues with having students create Google Accounts on their own (CIPPA regulations state that a website can not collect personal info from students under the age of 13). You will likely need parent permission to have kids create accounts. Consider looking into Google Apps for Education as an alternative.