Online Collaborative Lesson Plans

1. Writing - Poet’s Corner
2. Math - Twenty Tosses
3. Science - The Earth Day Groceries Project
4. Reading - The Iditarod Trail
5. Social Studies - Gettysburg Newspaper

Beginning with the overall philosophy of collaborative /cooperative learning the benefits include:

1. in-depth learning
2. real world / relevant tasks
3. utilizing student’s prior knowledge
4. developing communication and collaboration skills
5. investigating personal interests
6. voice in the decision-making process
7. developing problem-solving skills
8. allows for differentiation

Specifically related to online lessons and projects, the benefits include:

1. breaks the isolation of typical classroom- students and teachers can communicate with people from all over the world
2. allows students to experience people, places and activities not normally possible, (Ex: a front row seat at the Iditarod with all the sights and sounds)
3. makes learning more enjoyable, fun and engaging
4. allows students the opportunity to be mentored
5. can encourage students to provide service to the community (both near and far)
6. can level the playing field for all types of learners
7. can encourage students to social action
8. production of a work that will benefit other learners

Limitations of online collaborative lessons and projects:

1. teacher “tech” abilities
2. having classroom computers with internet access, word processing software and printers
3. having a computer lab
4. teacher has to be willing to do emailing
5. computer usage time in lab and classroom needs to be carefully planned
6. special needs students need to be acclimated into a team setting
7. classroom environment needs to be conducive to PBL (desks in groups, students in teams, research centers, materials center, computer center)
8. students need to be able to work independently in cooperative groups
9. classroom routines need to be established and clear concerning teamwork
10. students need to be somewhat tech savvy - familiar with word processing programs and know how to save work to various files and folders
11. students need to be able to “surf the net” safely – with permission and be able to manipulate websites
12. permission slips and AUP’S need to be created, signed and stored for computer usage, internet access and email accounts
13. lab time needs to be carefully planned for time sensitive projects
14. cooperative/ collaborative team process and progress evaluations must be clear and in place
15. planning time for teachers
16. project follow-up time for teachers