John R. Sowash
Southfield Christian School
jsowash@southfieldchristian.org
electriceducator.blogspot.com
Twitter: @jrsowash
Take the collaboration survey: bit.ly/stemcollaboration
This presentation, links, and other resources can be accessed here: bit.ly/stemcollaboration
Why
How
What
1. It's how things get done
2. More than one brain is always better
3. It reveals new perspectives
4. It compensates for individual weaknesses
5. It builds community
Collaborate?
Face-to-face discussion
Collaboration is two or more people, organizations, or groups, working on a common goal or towards a common purpose.
is collaboration?
to encourage collaboration
to encourage collaboration
Ideas
Forms of Collaboration
Tools for Collaboration
Committee meetings
Information sharing
Group projects
Departments/Divisions
"In today’s wired, networked society it is imperative that students understand how to communicate using technology. This includes asynchronous and synchronous communication" -21st Century Workforce Commission National Alliance of Business
Teams
Networking
Professional Organizations
Infographics
Multimedia Lab Reports
Journal Summaries
Class Data Analysis
Student Generated Surveys
Teaches experimental design, data collection, and data analysis.
Real ClassroomExamples:
Jonathan T. (11th grade): Survey on reducing the smoking age.
Josh M. (10th Grade): I.Q. Test.
5th Grade recycling survey
Suggestions:
Teach the difference between quantitative and qualitiative data.
Facebook and Twitter are awesome ways to get a survey to the masses. Have students post to their friends.
Learning comes from reflecting on the answer given from the questions asked and the analysis of the data.
Great for quantitative labs.
Demonstrates statistical laws such as the law of averages, law of large numbers and normal distribution.
Real ClassroomExamples:
M&M Statistical Analysis
Suggestions:
Explain to students that they are collaborating with one another.
Use the activities to teach the basic skill of graphing.
Spend time analyzing the graphs that are created and drawing conclusions.
Teaches virtual discussion board skills.
Gets students to read current scientific research
Cross-curricular (English/Language)
Real ClassroomExamples:
Give extra credit for the most popular article.
Setup a custom search engine to improve the quality of articles that students select.
Model process with student in class the first time.
Suggestions:
Join the conversation!
Note: this one is still in Beta!
Students take pictures/video of the lab procedure
Collect data via Google Docs
Analyze and graph data
Write summary of lab and record video/audio.
Put together video using iMovie app
Publish to YouTube
Toothpickase Enzyme Lab:
Teaches digital data collection
Teaches multimedia authoring
Enables students to share their work with the world.
Great culmination for student generated surveys.
Note: this one is still in Beta!
Combines math/science and art/design. Great for the "non-nerd."
Infographic: a visual representation of data.
Suggestions:
Have students create infographics in Google Presentation. Multiple students can assemble the pieces for the infographic simultaneously on separate slides.
Have students select an infographic as a model.
Utilize the drawing features to create custom shapes.
Use this project to discuss the responsibility to use data appropriately. Liars use numbers!
Infographics should be displayed on a class blog or wiki for others to enjoy.
Have an entire class use the same data to create an infographic. You'l be amazed at the unique designs they come up with!
Data sharing
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work...a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." -The Bible
Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:

a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.

d. contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems
Divide your class into small groups (3-4)
Make sure groups are academically mixed.
The A students will hate this. The C students will love it!
Change groups occassionaly, but not regularly.
Encourage community building.
Competition encourages collaboration.
Collaboration is frequently informal.
Develop and use collaborative language on a regular basis.
Discuss the difference between collaboration and cheating! Establish clear policies.
Praise collaboration when you see it happening organically.
Collect and share data in Google Docs
Explore the visualization tools in Google docs spreadsheets.
Harness the collaborative power of Google Docs!
A perfect application for a Wiki!