My Journey through Flattening Classrooms, Engaging MindsBy: Danje’ Morris

FLATTENING CLASSROOMS, ENGAGING MINDS: MOVE TO GLOBAL COLLABORATION ONE STEP AT A TIME

• Written by Julie Lindsay and Vicki A. Davis

• Inspires teachers to adopt a sense of collaboration

with classrooms around the world to instill digital

citizenships and oneness

• Incorporates thrilling experiences, strategies and

advice, and challenges for all readers to try for

themselves

• Divided into 3 sections:

• Part 1: Meet the Flat Classroom

• Part 2: Seven Steps to Flatten Your Classroom

• Part 3: Project Development

UNA Course Structure The course (EDT 602: Current and Emerging Technologies) is made up of 16

weeks, 13 which are focused solely on the textbook. Each week, students read the chapter, answer and discuss the essential questions at the end of the chapter, and complete the Flat Classroom Challenge. All essential questions are answered on the discussion board through ANGEL Learning and challenges are submitted through the Dropbox.

Because of the complexity of the challenges for students, this has been a great way to network, communicate, and rely on classmates in order to fulfill expectations. We communicate through emails (ANGEL and personal), blogs, and other forms of communication such as Skype and wiki.

7 Steps to Flatten Your Classroom Connection

Knowing how to reach out to others in the world, why it’s important, and what materials and tools are needed

Communication Talking and sharing ideas with others, including through emails, and why it’s important to keep communication open

Citizenship Ways to teach teachers and students to act appropriately online to eliminate disagreements and discrepancies

Contribution and Collaboration Ways to teach teachers and students effective measures to work with others

Choice Teaches teachers to respect students’ creativity and individuality

Creation Different ways to express ideas and assignments

Celebration Knowing the importance of concluding projects and allowing students to extend their knowledge

What I’ve learned thus far….. Here are just a few things that I learned thus far from the Flat Classroom

Challenges. We are only on challenge 12 of 15, but I have learned A LOT! How to construct a PLN

• http://flatclassrooms.ning.com/profile/DanjeMorris

• http://flatclassrooms.ning.com/profile/DanjeMorris

How to blog (and enjoy it!)• http://danjemorris.edublogs.org/

How to construct a Wikispaces account• http://danjem.wikispaces.com/

How to give students a choice with a project• http://ddm2011.wikispaces.com/

Screenshots

Summary It’s important to give students the opportunity to expand their learning

outside of the four walls of the classroom as well as the community in which they live. Remember, some students may never travel outside of the U.S., so a global collaborative project may be a thrill.

Teachers should always MODEL, MODEL, MODEL! If students see the teachers communicating, collaborating, etc. effectively, they will too!

This is more than just a project for students; this is also improving teachers’ skills and professional development. Using technology is both exciting and educational!