There were many examples in the reading of authentic collaborative projects.
One that I would use in my math classroom would be creating a wikispace page for our class (Schrum, 2009). Not only would I have the important class documents, like the syllabus or project descriptions, on the site, but I would also complete a project in which the students will need to post their work on the site. A specific example I could use would be to create a group project in which the students would need to to create a set of problems and answers to complete for review for a final test. Each group would need to upload their review problems onto the wiki and then open the review problems from two other groups and complete those problems. Also, I know that today, students have their own email addresses, so we could create a contacts page with a list of the emails so that students would be able to communicate with me and each other if they need help with problems.
A spin on looking at a wiki about the class would be having the students create a wiki-page that will include all of the important information for the course. I would separate the class into groups and have each focus on one chapter from the year or one section from a unit. That group would need to go through their notes, tests, and textbooks and create an outline with pertinent formulas and theorems for their section and then post it on the wiki-page. This page could be used as a unit or final review tool.
Another specific example I would use would be a "Virtual Math Manipulative" like the ones found on:
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/category_g_4_t_3.html
This type of problem was described in Chapter 4 of "Leading 21st Century Schools."
I found the interactive activities on this site to be particularly useful. If there was a way of knowing that every student would have access to a computer, I would assign them to a few activities to work on at home. However, if this isn't the case, using a computer lab in the school for a period would also be an effective tool for practice and review.
Schrum, L., & Levin, B.B. (2009). Leading 21st Century Schools, 45-77
Just a few thoughts came to mind as I read your post...
ReplyDeleteFirst - you mentioned all students having email addresses. Unfortunately you cannot assume this, nor can you force all students to have an email address. The great thing about Wikispaces is (1) students don't need an email to use the site because you can create an account and (2) students can send messages to one another through wikispaces - like email.
One example you mentioned was having students upload review problems. Are they posting problems directly on the wiki? Or are these problems in a separate file or google doc?
Does the wiki pages allow students to use certain math symbols that they may need to create the outline with math theorems and formulas? You may end up having students create this in a spreadsheet or google doc and post a link to it from the wiki.
Great ideas!
The only issues are with your reference and URLs... Check the syllabus - I have the book listed in APA format. That is how your reference for the text should look. Also you provided a URL on your post - that should be a hyperlink for students to click directly from your post.