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Collaboration

2.2

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Intro

For too long, 'Collaboration' with technology has been a group of three huddled around a computer, with one doing all the work, another chipping in with some advice and a third taking no part whatsoever!

But, with the changes in technology, collaboration in Year 4 now involves children on different devices working on the same document, at the same time.

Framework

2.2 - Collaboration

  • manage an online file, adding and responding to comments in one or more languages, e.g. create, share and edit an online file engaging in reflective discussion with teacher and/or peers.

Skill by Skill

  • Create a document in the cloud.

  • Invite a partner to collaborate at the same time.

  • Comment online on other people’s work.

(EAS ICT Skills Framework)

Vocabulary

collaborate     share     file     cloud     comment     peer-assessing     permission     invite

Activity 1

Create and Invite

The Framework assumes that pupils will have experience of collaborative technology from Year 3. The main purpose of collaboration in Year 4 is to allow them to keep practising their use of collaborative tools. There are a few new skills introduced however, the first of which is to invite others to collaborate, instead of having the teacher set it all up in advance.

screen-shot-2016-11-22-at-23-25-50

Prepare:

  • Ensure that every child has logins to a collaborative presentation software (Office 365 or Google Slides).
  • Check that the pupils have experience with collaborative work from Year 3. (If not, then start with the activities for Year 3 instead.)

Activity Tasks:

  1. Have pupils log into their collaborative account.
  2. Pupils should then navigate to a specified folder in their account, and create a presentation document inside it (using Google Slides or PowerPoint).
  3. They should then share the document with their partner/group members so that they can all work on editing it.
  4. They should finally create a presentation on their current topic, with pupils working together on different computers.

Remember

  • If your school hasn't adopted Office 365 or G Suite for Education yet, it's about time it did. Both are free (Office 365 is set up already through Hwb) and pupils need accounts if they are to undertake tasks such as collaboration and emailing. Bring this up with Technology Leader or Head as soon as possible!
  • It's likely that you do not have enough devices for every pupil in the class to have one each. Resist the urge to share computers. That's not what this element is about. Have one group work at a time if devices are limited.
  • Now that your pupils can create and share a document, they can use this skill regularly in classwork and homework as a tool for learning in other subjects.
  • Look at the list of activities at the bottom of this page to see how you can continue to practise collaboration throughout the year.

Success Criteria

  • I can create a presentation file within the correct folder.
  • I can share my document with other people who can then collaborate with me.

Other Framework Elements

1.3 - Digital Rights

You can have a discussion about copyright of images online and how we should give credit

2.3 Storing and Sharing

If you create a file when you are within a specific folder, the file automatically saves to that folder.

3.1 Planning, Sourcing and Searching

Discuss what keywords to use when searching online for images.

3.2 - Creating

This activity is as much creating as it is collaboration.

3.3 Evaluating and Improving

Your usual peer-assessment and/or self-assessment.

Vocabulary

collaborative     slide     share     presentation     login     folder     (see 3.2b - Presenting for presentation specific vocabulary)

Variation Ideas

The important skills here are creating the document and sharing it with collaborators. The content of the presentation is wholly up to you and your current topics. You could also avoid presentations altogether and have them create a word processing document instead.

Activity 2

Let's Comment

One of the most useful aspects of collaborative software is the ability to leave comments. Whist we teachers can use this tool to help pupils improve their work, it's also a very effective peer-assessment tool. In this activity we learn how to leave comments on each other's work.

Prepare:

  • Ensure that the pupils have login accounts for a collaborative software (Office 365, Google Docs).
  • Teach pupils to confidently share documents with others in the class (see Activity 1).
  • Pupils should have recently completed a piece of word processing work on Office 365 or Google Docs.
google comments

Activity Tasks:

  1. Pupils ensure they've finished their main piece of word processing work.
  2. They then share this document with their partner, and vice versa.
  3. Show the pupils how to add a comment to a specific word or sentence. (It varies from software to software, but usually involves highlighting the word or sentence and then clicking 'Comment').
  4. Pupils read each other's work, leaving two positive comments and one suggestion for improvement.
  5. Pupils turn back to their own work, read the comments and, if needed, edit their work by following the suggestion for improvement.

Remember

  • If your school hasn't adopted Office 365 or G Suite for Education yet, it's about time it did. Both are free (Office 365 is set up already through Hwb) and pupils need accounts if they are to undertake tasks such as collaboration and emailing. Bring this up with Technology Leader or Head as soon as possible!
  • It's likely that you do not have enough devices for every pupil in the class to have one each. Resist the urge to share computers. That's not what this element is about. Have one group work at a time if devices are limited.
  • Once pupils are used to writing comments, it can be done often as a means of peer-assessment.

Success Criteria

  • I can leave positive and constructive comments on a partner's work.

Other Framework Elements

2.3 Storing and Sharing

This activity gives them the opportunity to keep practising the sharing of cloud documents.

3.2 Creating

Since they are writing text, they are achieving a limited amount of the 'Creating' element.

3.3 Evaluating and Improving

This activity is all about assessing each other's work and improving their own.

Vocabulary

share     comment     peer     assessing     improve

Variation Ideas

If you don't have a recent piece of typed work to peer-assess, you can still practice the skill of leaving comments by having pupils write a short paragraph on their favourite hobbies and having their partner leave comments agreeing or disagreeing with their hobby choices.

Activity Ideas

Once the pupils have mastered the skills of working collaboratively, sharing documents and commenting on each other's work they should be encouraged to regularly incorporate these skills in their lessons

Here are some ideas for projects they can do collaboratively.

Activity Suggestions

  • Create a PowerPoint / Google Slide on your current topic. One pupil types, one adds images and one is in charge of layout and spellchecking.
  • Create a video on the iPad (see 3.2 'Creating'), upload to the cloud and share with classmates so that they can view the video.
  • Use Word / Google Doc to collaboratively create a plan for a group charity stall, with everyone contributing their ideas.
  • Regularly share work for peer-assessment using comments.
  • Have pupils regularly create work in the cloud and share it with you.