Cross Classroom Collaboration through Learning Circles Learning Circle Learning Circle Teachers...

Cross Classroom Cross Classroom Collaboration Collaboration

through Learning Circlesthrough Learning Circles

Learning Learning CircleCircle

Teachers Teachers

& &

Margaret Margaret

RielRiel

Computers Networks:Authentic Audiences for

StudentsA number of research studies show same effect:Writing in the context of meaningful projects leads to skill development that is higher than is achieved with routine drill and practice methods.

Learning Circles: Cross-Classroom CollaborationTo Create a Circle Publication

Group Investigations Group Investigations withinwithin Classrooms.Classrooms.

Group Investigations Group Investigations acrossacross Classrooms.Classrooms.

One of the best ways to learn something is to agree to teach it to someone else!

One of the best ways to learn something is to agree to teach it to someone else!

What is involved in Meaningful What is involved in Meaningful Writing Projects? Writing Projects?

Connecting learning to people, Connecting learning to people, places and activitiesplaces and activities

Understanding the values and Understanding the values and perspectives of different groupsperspectives of different groups

Communicating ideas and attitudes Communicating ideas and attitudes through writing using language through writing using language appropriatelyappropriately

Developing identityDeveloping identity

Learning Circle ModelLearning Circle Model

Emphasis on Writing Emphasis on Writing across the Curriculum across the Curriculum

Focus on Multi-Focus on Multi-Disciplinary Themes Disciplinary Themes

Support for Support for Collaborative Collaborative Learning Learning

Learning Circle ModelLearning Circle Model

Learning Circle Learning Circle Partners Partners

(A Group of 6-10 Classes)(A Group of 6-10 Classes)

Grade level compatibility

Geographic Diversity

Common Timeline

Task Coordination

Individual Creativity

Responsibility to the Group

Phase 1: Getting Ready

OverviewOverviewThe Learning Circle Teacher Guide provides The Learning Circle Teacher Guide provides

a structural approach to promoting cross-a structural approach to promoting cross-classroom collaboration with classroom collaboration with telecommunications. The first chapter telecommunications. The first chapter provides an overview. If you want to provides an overview. If you want to understand this model of online teaching understand this model of online teaching and learning, it is a good place to begin.and learning, it is a good place to begin.

Learning Circles - An IntroductionLearning Circles - An Introduction

Phases of Learning Circle Interaction from 1-6 Phases of Learning Circle Interaction from 1-6

OpeningOpeningthe the

Circle Circle

PlanningPlanning Circle Circle ProjectsProjects

ExchangingExchanging StudentStudent WorkWork

OrganizingOrganizing CircleCirclePublicationPublication

ClosingClosingthe the

CircleCircle

InteractionInteraction

Learning CircleLearning Circle

Phase 2: Opening the Circle

Classroom Survey (online)1. About the Students

2. About the School

3. About the Community

Welcome Packs (postal mail) Send whatever fits in a large envelope (pictures,

brochures, drawings, symbols, etc.) that will tell others

1. Who you are

2. What you look like

3. What you like to do

4. Where you live

Phase 2: Phase 2: "Team Formation" Activities"Team Formation" Activities

Phase 2: "Team Phase 2: "Team Formation" ObjectivesFormation" Objectives

Students: Think critically about self; define

themselves for others.

Learn from others what things they value.

Develop descriptive skillsLearn to work with people from diverse

backgrounds.

Phase 3: Planning Phase 3: Planning Circle ProjectsCircle Projects

Phase 3: Planning Phase 3: Planning Circle ProjectsCircle Projects

Phase 3: Planning Circle Phase 3: Planning Circle Projects:Projects:

Setting Goals & Commitment Setting Goals & Commitment

Responsibility & Responsibility & Commitment Commitment Each Class as a team

organizes or "sponsors" a project for the group.

Every class is responsible to send at least one response to the projects in their Learning Circle.

Places and PerspectivesElementary

Comparing Places

Historical City Tour

Local History Timeline

World War II Surveys

Weather

Ecosystems

1850 Simulation

Mind WorksMiddle School Circle Stories

Invention Convention

Place Poetry

Cultural Stories

Predictions 2020

Environmental Projects

Teen Tales

Global IssuesHigh School

New World Order

Economic Issues

Ozone and the Environment

Solar Power

A.I.D.S.

Oil Spills

Students... Develop interpersonal skills as students

work together to develop project idea.

Learn to plan ahead as they consider what type of material to request for their partners.

Develop written communication skills as they describe their project to the Circle.

Phase 4: Exchanging

Student Work

Phase 4: Phase 4: Exchanging Student Work Exchanging Student Work ImplementationImplementation

Students working in groups send work on all of the Learning Circle Projects.

Student receive work from other students and store this information for later use.

Each class team monitors the work received on their sponsored project and encourages their partners to complete work on schedule.

Team WorkTeam Work

Exchange of Student Work on Projects

Picture by Heather Davis, John Wayland Elementary School

Phase 4: Implementation Phase 4: Implementation Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives

Students...Research topics from other classes.

Work with community resources.

Learn to monitor goals on schedule.

Develop strategies to encourage others to meet deadlines.

Store & retrieve information with technology

Phase 5: Publishing Projects

Phase 5: Organizing the Circle Phase 5: Organizing the Circle Publication HPublication High Performanceigh Performance

Students reflect on their project and make decisions about how to present their collectively.

Students evaluate, edit and format the information that they select to create a chapter, section or report for the Circle Publication.

Students become PublishersStudents become Publishers

A Learning Circle Publication

Places and PerspectivesSpring 1995

Phase 5: Organizing the Phase 5: Organizing the Circle Publication Circle Publication

Student ObjectivesStudent Objectives

Students Learn to:Students Learn to:

Work with information, analyzing, comparing, and editing to create a final presentation.

Use technical tools to create a final presentation.

Accept responsibility for the work, making sure that all tasks are completed within a group timeline.

Phase 6: Closing the Circle

Phase 6: Closing the Circle Phase 6: Closing the Circle Reflection and Renewal Reflection and Renewal

Good-byeIt isn't easy to say Good-Bye

To all the fun things we did

And all the new friends we made.

We fly like birds in our minds

And see you afar

Even though mountains and states and countries divide us.

If you try,

If you really try,

We can all be one in our hearts,

In our minds

And in our body.

4th grade students from Sanders Elementary, Arizona to their Learning Circle Partners

Locate and Evaluate Information

Research & Organize Ideas

Creative Problem-Solving within a Team

Understand Multiple Perspectives on Issues

Develop Cooperative Learning Strategies

Increase Self-Esteem and Confidence

Accept Individual and Group Responsibility

Use Technology Effectively

Circle Closing Circle Closing Overall Learning ObjectivesOverall Learning Objectives

Cross-Classroom Collaboration

Continual learning and professional opportunities for teachers in theclassroom

Connections to the learning opportunities outside of the classroom for students

World

Dr. Margaret RielSRI International &

Pepperdine University

margaret.riel@sri.com760 943-1314

Links to more Information Links to more Information Links to more Information Links to more Information

On Learning CirclesOn Learning Circles

www.iearn.org/circles