Daily+Lesson+Plans

=Daily Lesson Plans =

Please visit the daily lesson plans for each of the collaborators to this unique project. Teachers wishing to emulate this project will find having three lessons plans advantageous for differentiation based on student ability and maturity levels.

5th grade Brigit 7th grade Jan 8th Grade Ahmetrie

=PROJECT RATIONALE BASED ON CURRENT RESEARCH =

 These daily lessons plans are designed to facilitate and encourage student collaboration and project based learning. This three classroom collaborative project also fosters teacher collaboration across three very different schools and socio-economic groups. According to Kutsyuruba (2013), when teachers collaborate across different areas, it can instill change and societal acceptance on a global scale as well as in the classroom. Therefore, it is important that projects, like this one, are encourage and continued so that collaboration and acceptance increases both within and outside of the classroom (Bourgeois & Hunt, 2011). McClure (2008), also noted that there is "a small but growing body of evidence [that] suggests a positive relationship between teacher collaboration and student achievement." Therefore, teacher collaboration can also increase student academic achievement which is ultimately the goal of any lesson plans. Therefore, teacher collaboration can be a positive event in the classroom and in the world so long as it is implemented effectively.

While teacher collaboration is an important aspect of student achievement, so it student involvement and collaboration. Palloff & Pratt (2005) state that students collaboration is supported in learning within a group while promoting creativity, skills, practice and critical thinking towards problem-solving." As such, it is important that students learn the integral skills of collaborating and integrating with each other. As they learn to adapt to various personalities, strengths and weaknesses, they will utilize creativity and critical thinking to overcome various obstacles. Coleman & Levine (2008) provide insight into best practices. Group expectations need to delineated in order for any collaborative project to be successful. Students must learn to build positive relationships and seek the understanding of all of the members in order for the project to be successful. In classroom collaboration and groups are an essential part of student achievement and learning.

This three classroom project designed by Ahmetrie Wise, Brigit McAroy and Jan Lewis Cutforth draws up on the previously mentioned research and utilized 21st Century web 2.0 tools to unite three very different classroom. An essential part of this project is the use of a blog. Each students will have a blog hosted by www.kidblog.com that will allow individual classes as well as ultimately all three classes to communicate and share with one another. Meinecke, Smith and Lehmann-Willenbrock (2013) found in their student what when given the opportunity to communicate via a blog, student interaction were beyond teacher expectations and the behaviors, comments and participation were equally distributed and caused interactions among all students. Fessakis, Dimitracopolou and Palaiodimos (2013) also found through their research that students can collaborate in many ways, including blogs (Davidson, 2012). Using wikispaces and googledocs are also effective means of student collaboration and learning (Dreon, 2013).

Wikis can be an effective assessment tool for all grade levels. They can be used to evaluate student literacy and writing ability (Hazari, North & Moreland, 2009). Research has determined that wikis promote collaboration, encourage negotiation and assist students in becoming more adept at new technologies and technological tools. It is also important to note, however, that although the teacher does take a more facilitation approach to teaching in collaborative projects, it is important that they remain involved. Wiki's are simply tools to utilize. Teachers must also insure student safety while on the internet.

REFERENCES

Bourgeois, M., & Hunt, B. (2011). Teaching 2.0: Teams keep teachers and students plugged into technology. Journal of Staff Development, 32(5), 34-37.

Coleman, D., & Levine, S. (2008). Collaboration 2.0: Technology and best practices for successful collaboration in a Web 2.0 world. Cupertino, Calif: Happy About.

Davidson, R. (2012). Wiki use that increases communication and collaboration motivation. Journal of Learning Design, 5(2), 38-49.

Dreon, O. (2013). Promoting student success through collaboration. Retrieved from Faculty Focus, Higher Ed. Teaching Strategies from Magna Publications [|http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/promoting-student- success-through-collaboration/]

Fessakis, G., Dimitracopoulou, A., & Palaiodimos, A. (2013). Graphical interaction analysis impact on groups collaborating through blogs. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 16(1), 243-253.

Hazari, S., North, A., & Moreland, D. (2009). Investigating pedagogical value of wiki technology. Journal of Information Systems Education, 20(2), 187-198.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Kutsyuruba, Benjamin(2013). Teacher Collaboration in Times of Uncertainty and Societal Change. 45 (1). 25-49. European education 45 (1), 25-49 ISSN:1056- 4934

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">McClure, C. T. (2008, September). Essentials on Education Data and Research Analysis. The benefits of teacher collaboration. Retrieved from http://www.districtadministration.com/article/benefits-teacher-collaboration

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Meinecke, A. L., Smith, K. K., & Lehmann-Willenbrock, N. (2013). Developing students as global Learners: “groups in our world” blog. Small Group Research, 44(4), 428-445. doi:10.1177/1046496413487020

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Palloff, R. M. & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online: learning together in a community. San Francisco, CA : John Wiley & Sons, Inc.