Session+7

__**7.1 Collaboration**__ 1. What is collaboration? Collaboration is working together to, hopefully, achieve a goal

2. What are 3 ways in which students collaborate in your classroom and are they successful? Poetry--decoding and analyzing a text (SOAPStone or TP-CASTT) Drama--'modern' translation of Shakespeare and performance Argument--writing a proposal and presenting it to the class

The success of the collaboration really depends on the group of students and task at hand (how thoroughly I have planned it out). My CP classes tend to be more successful when each student has a specific role and the groups pre-planned. My AP classes are a bit more successful with collaboration as they tend to be more independent.

__**7.2 Video Response**__ media type="custom" key="10060839" 1. How can expanded use of technology help develop depth and breadth for our students? Technology seems to offers something for everyone. It allows the student to really cultivate his/her interest (and therefor breadth).

2. What is the difference between cooperation and collaboration? According to Randy Nelson, depth is "someone who really knows a skill" while breadth is "extremely broad...someone interested" not to be confused with interesting.

3. What are the challenges in getting students to collaborate rather than just cooperate? I appreciate how Nelson describes cooperation as an "assembly line." I see that so often in my classes...student A will complete parts 1 through 5. Student B will then finish parts 6 through 8. Student C will then proofread, etc, etc. I think that for some classes just being able to cooperate is a huge accomplishment. For example, I had a student last year who simply refused to work with other students and when said student finally cooperated with a group, it felt like a small victory. BUT, to go beyond that point involves more intangibles---trust, confidence, patience, communication, willingness. Instilling those qualities doesn't just happen at in one class in one year; instilling those qualities requires collaboration on our part.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__**7.3 Voicethread Definition**__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">The definition of voicethread seems to be "a tool for having conversation around media." My first thought was that this would be fantastic for the quieter students. They wouldn't feel the pressure to speak on-demand and have everyone looking at them. A great starting point in student discussion for our shy kids. Voicethread would, obviously, be great for student run discussions around a certain text. I can also see it being used for presentations for book club, etc. Beyond that, I wonder how this would be as a revision tool...allowing me and/or the students to comment on essays verbally.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__**7.4 Immigration Voicethread**__ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">This was a great example to begin (and it seems representative of what our students would produce). The biggest strength that I noticed was the use of tone, for most students. Inflection and pacing were great along with the ideas presented. However, I didn't notice much of a conversation going on. Each student seems to use the same general format in response. A restatement of the question, followed by his/her opinion and reasoning to support that opinion. I guess it seemed a bit stifled in creativity.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__**7.5 Using Voicethread in the Classroom**__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">media type="custom" key="10060721" <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">I really liked using this! I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about recording my voice and using the webcam....it's always a bit strange hearing your own voice! I'm not sure if I was suppose to see/hear any other responses from group members (I only saw mine). This would be great for any type of student response to a text. I see this more as an informal tool than a formal presentation---I would rather the students be able to speak freely and not have it sound so rehearsed. I am definitely going to try this with peer review and revision of their own essays.