6B. Activity
Theory
Serim’s Theorems on Communication and Collaboration
It can be helpful to frame Communication & Collaboration in a wider context, so that we can better harness its potential power. If it is true that all learning is social (as suggested by Vygotsky) our abilities in these areas determine the range and depth our learning can take. There is a cascading effect of four fundamental conditions that shape the effectiveness of your communications and determine whether people get your message or not:
1) In any setting, people sense the presence (or absence) of leadership and react accordingly.
2) Leadership is based on permissions. These permissions are two-way and require relationships, both to be created and to be maintained.
3) Relationships may begin individually, but are soon organized into groups. Groups, rather than individuals form communities. Paradoxically, the effectiveness of groups is determined by the presence of passionate, dedicated individuals who’ve taken ownership of the message.
4) As groups become more adept at communication, their actions are more likely to result in effective collaborations that meet the needs of communities. Conversely, until groups become capable communicators, sustained collaboration is not possible.
It can be helpful to frame Communication & Collaboration in a wider context, so that we can better harness its potential power. If it is true that all learning is social (as suggested by Vygotsky) our abilities in these areas determine the range and depth our learning can take. There is a cascading effect of four fundamental conditions that shape the effectiveness of your communications and determine whether people get your message or not:
1) In any setting, people sense the presence (or absence) of leadership and react accordingly.
2) Leadership is based on permissions. These permissions are two-way and require relationships, both to be created and to be maintained.
3) Relationships may begin individually, but are soon organized into groups. Groups, rather than individuals form communities. Paradoxically, the effectiveness of groups is determined by the presence of passionate, dedicated individuals who’ve taken ownership of the message.
4) As groups become more adept at communication, their actions are more likely to result in effective collaborations that meet the needs of communities. Conversely, until groups become capable communicators, sustained collaboration is not possible.
The Collaboration-Communication-Connection
Effective collaboration demands strong communication. In evaluating and reflecting upon our own collaboration methods, it's imperative that we evaluate our communication skills simultaneously. Review this annotated version of the ISTE for Teachers and pay special attention to the standards that address collaborative efforts.
Collaborative Tools for the Digital Educator
The following tools are not the only collaborative tools available, but they all have been widely adopted by educators, have mostly free components and most importantly, encourage and foster the collaborative intention outlined in the ISTE for Teachers. As you review each tool, there is a "Resource Site", which will give you either a link to an overview of the service, or a link to the homepage of the service. There will be one-two links that follow the "Resource Site"; review each of those links to discover how these tools have been powerfully leveraged in classrooms and schools. Also, following each tool, there is a brief video. View the video.
G-Suite for Education - Google Drive
- Resource Site: Resources for Educators
- Learning Application: Guide to Going Google Website - strategic roll-outs, simply stated.
- See this great resource on how to create a Paperless Classroom using Google Drive
Edmodo
- Resource Site: Edmodo Homepage
- Learning Application: THE Journal Article - "Edmodo, Common Sense Launch Social Learning Digital Literacy Curriculum"
Schoology
- Resource Site: Schoology Homepage
- Learning Application: Schoology is an LMS (Learning Management System), and their Basic "package" is free for teachers, although some schools and districts elect to purchase the Enterprise Package. Nevertheless, any teacher can still receive the many benefits of Schoology's platform. See more information about how it works in a class.
- A Note: Schoology has a very extensive YouTube Channel, with tutorials about everything you can do on Schoology.
- Resource Site: Twitter Homepage
- Learning Application: Every day, almost all the time, educators are using Twitter to chat about important issues around education and the great things our students are doing. Even without creating a Twitter account, you can watch these chat occur. If you want to participate and actively collaborate, then you will need an account, which you can do at their homepage. THIS LINK will give you a schedule of education-focused Twitter Hashtag Chats. Some chats are more active than others, so try a few!
- Article from THE Journal "From Twitter to Edmodo: Schools Collaborate with Social Media"
- This blog post is the one that is referenced in the video below and well worth reading
Google+ Hangouts
- Resource Site: Google+ Hangouts Main Page (this is not an educationally-focused Hangouts page, but does give you an idea of the breadth and depth of available hangouts)
- Learning Application: The Google Hangouts for Education community is for educators who are using Google Hangouts in their classrooms. It is a hub for teachers to connect, collaborate, and discuss how they are using Google Hangouts to enrich the learning experiences of their students.
- 32 Tips for How to Use Google+ Hangouts in the Classroom
Activity
- Watch, read through, and actively participate in either a Twitter Hashtag Chat or a Google+ Hangout On Air, facilitated by your instructor - you can access a list of educationally-focused Twitter Hashtag Chats HERE. Your instructor will provide you with more information about participating in the Google Hangout, including the specific time and date and how to access it.
- Respond to ALL of the following prompts in a Google Doc and submit your shared Google Doc.
- Which method (Twitter Hashtag Chat or Google+ Hangout with your instructor) did you choose and why? How actively did you participate? What did you learn, if anything? Would you participate again? Why or why not?
- (Widespread Collaboration Focus) If you were to create an on-going public Hashtag Chat or a Google+ Hangout, what would the focus be? Who would you try to get included as active participants? Justify and explain your plan to get others to collaborate with you and how you would get people excited about your Chat / Hangout.
- (Local Collaboration Focus) What kind of collaborative space could you create for your school or district? Or, if you already have a collaborative space, like Edmodo or Schoology that is used actively, how do you (or could you) promote the use of this collaborative space?