Seminar+overview+and+forum+questions


 * The Use of Collaborative Frameworks from around the Globe: //Seminar Overview//**

Welcome to the first Student- Led Seminar in **Module Three - Global perspectives on e-learning.** We hope that you both learn about, and learn through collaboration during the course of this seminar.

There are five learning intentions for this online learning experience that you will be working towards: 1. Define collaboration and identify the role of collaboration in a blended learning environment. 2. Analyze the use of a specified collaborative framework in a given context. 3. Critically evaluate a variety of approaches to collaboration in a blended learning environment, and make a reccomendation for best practice in supporting CSCL. 4. Link individual learning about CSCL to own practice. 5. Actively participate in a computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) experience.

There are four parts to this seminar, so time is of the essence, and collaborative group-work is the key to achieving the above Learning Intentions. The timeline below includes resources that you will need to access to complete each stage.

You will be working with two different groups. Your "seminar group" is the same one that you are working with on seminars. Your "Framework Group" is made up of one person from each group (possibly two if there are four group members). So, you will break off from your Seminar group to complete Part Two, and then reconvene for Part Three. || 15 July || **Part One:** ** CSCL - An Introduction and An Overview **
 * **Dates** || **Activity** || **Resources** ||
 * **//A Note On Groups://**
 * 12 July –

Read one of the overview articles, and answer the following question (apporx 300-500 words) in the Part One discussion **forum**.

How would you define Collaboration, and what value does it bring to learning environments? || //Link to://

· // CSCL: An historical perspective.pdf // · // CSCL: An approach to powerful learning environments.pdf // · // Collaborative learning in Asynchronous learning networks.pdf // || 18 July || **//Part Two://** //**Frameworks for facilitating CSCL**// There are several models or frameworks which educators are using around the world to facilitate effective collaboration in an online environment. Each member of your "Seminar" group will be expected to "Become an expert" in one of these frameworks by **reading the appropriate article(s)** AND **contributing to the relevant wiki**. You will need to have a sound understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of this framework. You knowledge will be needed in Part 3, when you will be regrouping with your "Seminar" group.
 * 15 July –

Choose one of the following collaborative frameworks:

· Social Cohesion (America & Italy) · Progressive Inquiry (Finland & Canada/Australia) · Community of Learning (Finland & Chile)

You "sign-up" to a Framework by going to the wiki page for the Framework of your choice:
 * 1) Sign in
 * 2) Click edit
 * 3) Add your name to the group members list for the Framework
 * 4) You are now signed in to become an 'expert' for that Framework.

**Note: You must ensure that all the frameworks are considered amongst your "Seminar" group members.** || **Social Cohesion – //Link to Wiki Page//** · // Using Jigsaw and case study for supporting online collaborative learning.pdf // · // Increasing user interaction: using jigsaw online.pdf //

· // Epistemological Foundations for CSCL: A Comparison of Three Models of Innovative Knowledge Communities.pdf // · // A Conceptual Framework Based on Activity Theory for Mobile CSCL.pdf //
 * Knowledge Creation – //Link to wiki page//**

· // Progressive inquiry in a CSILE environment: teacher guidance and students' engagement. // · // International Online Collaboration: Modelling Online Teaching and Learning // || 21 July || __**// Part Three: //**__ __**Key Strategies for facilitating collaborative involvement in an online or computer supported environment.**__
 * Progressive Inquiry – //Link to wiki page//**
 * 18 July –

For this part you will rejoin your original "seminar" group members. **Your group will come back together to** contribute to the "Part 3 - Key Strategies" Wiki page wiki.

Your next task is to combine your knowledge of each framework and make suggestions as to the key strategies for ‘best practice ’in supporting collaboration in an online environment. i.e. what needs to be in place for both the learner and the teacher to ensure an effective collaborative environment? || Link to wiki pages for:

· group 2 · group 3 · group 4 || 25 July || **__ // Part Four: // CSCL and you - a Reflection __**
 * 21 July –

Return back to the Massey Forum and post a reflection comment which answers the Reflection Questions. – What are at least 2 ideas or practices that you can take away from your learning about collaboration in an online environment and implement in your teaching context? Justify your choice. ||  ||

Additional Information to ensure your success:
 * Throughout this overview we refer to the "Seminar" group, this is your group that you are currently working with to run your Student-Led Seminars.
 * The Wiki Pages have clear instructions as to what you need to do for Part 2 and Part 3.
 * Stick to the time line. That way both your and your team members will both get the most out of this experience. Otherwise, you may just be experiencing one of the downsides to online collaboration . :-)

List of Discussion Forums and Questions: 1. Seminar instructions and Problems forum //(I propose we put the above all instructions in this discussion thread and answer problems/issues as they arise within it as well.)// 2. Part One: After reading one of the general articles on Collaboration, how would you define Collaboration, and what value does it bring to learning environments? 3. Part Two: Which article will you be working on? Place your ‘dibs’ on a specific framework by following the instructions in our overview. Remember that groups of 3 will have one framework per person, and groups of 4 will have two people working on one of the frameworks. 4. Part Four: What are at least 2 ideas or practices that you can take away from your learning about collaboration in an online environment and implement in your teaching context? Justify your choice. (This includes comments about the collaborative process you have undertaken as a part of this seminar, as well as the content knowledge.)