Workshop Agenda Workshop Agenda • Discuss the rationale behind the Discuss the rationale behind the

project.project.• Walk through the project step by step Walk through the project step by step

and view student samples.and view student samples.• Techie Toolbox demonstrations: What Techie Toolbox demonstrations: What

Digital Immigrants need to be Digital Immigrants need to be successful in a progressive classroom.successful in a progressive classroom.

• Q & AQ & A

First, the “WHY?” Then, the “HOW?”

About how many hours a day do you spend working on the computer?…working on the Internet?…using something defined as a “social networking tool?…downloading & listening to music?…downloading & watching videos?

POP QUIZ:

First, the “WHY?” Then, the “HOW?”

About how many hours a day do they spend working on the computer?…working on the Internet?…using something defined as a “social networking tool?…downloading & listening to music?…downloading & watching videos?

NOW ANSWER FOR YOUR PARENTS:

My mother is 63 years old, and she is a daily Facebook user!

Here’s some more “WHY?”

1. Our students are technological natives, while we’re technological immigrants.

2. A profound shift has taken place in the way that people communicate!

3. It’s much easier to reach a global audience than ever before…AND DO IT INSTANTLY.

Let’s face some basic realities:

A large portion of us are Generation X’ers• We were born in the 1960s and 1970s• We became teens and young adults in the 1980s and 1990s•We went to the LIBRARY when we needed to write research papers!

Did you send any e-mails Did you send any e-mails today?today?

Props to Marc Prensky © 2008 NCTE Conference

The changes will keep happening.

My job is to help you cope without going NUTS!

Understanding the Inquiry Circles Understanding the Inquiry Circles Project:Project:

This was inspired by a presentation This was inspired by a presentation given by Stephanie Harvey and given by Stephanie Harvey and Harvey “Smokey Daniels” at the Harvey “Smokey Daniels” at the 2008 NCTE Annual Convention in San 2008 NCTE Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas.Antonio, Texas.

Who are they?Who are they?

How I made it work for English 10How I made it work for English 10

Submitted a survey to students to assess Submitted a survey to students to assess their level of “comfort” with technologytheir level of “comfort” with technology

Created students groups with a mix in Created students groups with a mix in mind, trying to group students who had mind, trying to group students who had similar class schedulessimilar class schedules

Spent a small amount of time “briefing” the Spent a small amount of time “briefing” the technologytechnology

The “Technology”The “Technology”

Wikispaces (A Wiki)Wikispaces (A Wiki) Google Docs (word processing Google Docs (word processing

software)software) The Internet & Library The Internet & Library

DatabasesDatabases Video editing software Video editing software

(Windows Movie Maker, etc.)(Windows Movie Maker, etc.)

Inquiry Circles: A Collaborative Research Project for English 10R

• All Due Dates are TBA• You will be split into groups of 3 students (some

may have a group of 4). Your group will work together to choose a common research topic. This should be something that is discussed at length and agreed upon by everyone.

• Your first group meetings:– Come up with a creative name for your Circle.– Establish roles and responsibilities for group

members. – Discuss and decide upon a topic for research

(ultimately your final choice must be approved by me)

Project ProceduresCollaborative group work can be a very positive experience if all members of the group participate evenly. However, with every group project comes the possibility that there will be one or more students who bear the burden of most of the work or one or more students who “shirk” on their responsibilities. Although it is impossible to fully prevent this from happening, the following procedures will be established to ensure that the fairest grading policy is used to assess your work:

Shared Responsibility, Feedback, and Check-Ups:

There are many benefits of completing a research project in a collaborative group. Each group member has certain talents and skills that he or she can bring to the table. As well, the burden of writing your own research paper is reduced because you have your own “team” to work on it with you. At varying times during this project, you will be able to evaluate your own work and the work of the other members of your group by providing feedback. As well, I will meet with your group at different times to discuss your progress and offer personalized assistance.

Using Wikis:A wiki is an online community through which people can share ideas and post work. Wikipedia is one type of wiki, which, ironically, you are not allowed to use as a source for your paper. Your group will create your own Wiki about your topic on Wikispaces.com. This will be a convenient online “place” for you ask questions about your topic, discuss your preliminary research, and provide links to helpful websites. I will be able to check your Wiki and offer my own input as well – thus making sure that your group is always on the right path. You will be able to access Wikispaces from school and from home.

Using Google Documents: You will be using Google Docs to write your research paper. Using Google Docs will allow you to create and share your work online, and will allow all members of your group to have access to your paper for writing, revising, and editing. As well, I will be able to see who among you has been “putting in the time” to work on the paper. This will be a major consideration when I factor your individual process grade (explained below). You will be able to access Google Docs from school and from home.

Individual and Group Grades: Product and Process

Test Grades: Your actual research project will be given three test grades. A group grade for the product (the paper) will be scored using a rubric to assess meaning, development, writing style, and vocabulary/mechanics. An individual process grade will be assigned using a rubric for creativity, classwork, effort and participation. The final grade will be awarded for your completed 45-60 second PSA video on a topic related to your research.

Paper Requirements• 5-7 pages typed & double spaced • Include a minimum of 6 resources

– Three of these sources must be PRINT sources (not from a web page, radio broadcast, or film) Examples of print sources are books, periodicals, and scholarly journal articles. To complete a well-developed, global perspective of your point, you should consider historical events, films, television shows, songs and music videos, interviews, and even literature.

– One of these sources must be a CURRENT EVENT from a reliable source (check the news for this)

PSA Video Requirements

• 45-60 seconds • Fashioned as a PSA (Public Service

Announcement)• Include audio (music or speaking)• Formatted for placement on the Web