It was a little tricky coming up with either a social media or collaborative project for my elementary students, especially in the Library. I think in a classroom with the same 25 kids it would be easier to integrate, but when I'm dealing with the whole school and the logistics - I wasn't quite sure what to do. Then it came to me - my 4th Grade Unit on Alternative Book Reports
This unit already incorporates a lot of technology. Students choose a favorite book and a method to share their knowledge of it with others. Students have their choice of creating a book trailer, green screen review or interactive poster. We explore all 3 of these choices, and discuss which would work well for which students or type of literature. Then students create Readboxes with QR codes that link to the students’ work.
This unit already incorporates a lot of technology. Students choose a favorite book and a method to share their knowledge of it with others. Students have their choice of creating a book trailer, green screen review or interactive poster. We explore all 3 of these choices, and discuss which would work well for which students or type of literature. Then students create Readboxes with QR codes that link to the students’ work.
Here’s a little more information on the current unit: The students are introduced to their three choices and see examples of each. After they choose there are planning documents and guidelines for each option – Green Screen Review, iMovie Book Trailer or Glogster Interactive Poster.
The projects take a great deal of time and effort for the students to create.
Therefore, I would like to add a social networking aspect that would provide the opportunity for students to view and offer positive feedback to their classmates’ projects.
The projects take a great deal of time and effort for the students to create.
Therefore, I would like to add a social networking aspect that would provide the opportunity for students to view and offer positive feedback to their classmates’ projects.
I looked at several different tools hoping to find the perfect one for collaborating on a project like this. I created accounts and attempted to recreate the project. I looked at ThingLink , Prezi and Glogster, but none could work quite as I envisioned. ThingLink and Glogster do not allow more than one editor at a time, although there are numerous articles describing how to use them collaboratively. Perhaps the products can be created by groups, but students cannot edit simultaneously. Using Prezi collaboratively is too complicated a process for my 4th grade students.
What will work? Google Drawings! I didn’t originally consider Google Drawings as I had not yet explored it. But after getting exasperated with some of the other options I found this video to show that Google Drawings will work exactly the way I want it to.
This is my plan for the collaborative piece of this unit.
Goals:
Students will share their multimedia book reviews online.
Students will provide an authentic audience for each other.
Students will offer specific and positive feedback.
Objectives:
Using a Google Drawings readbox template, students will add links to their multimedia project.
Students will view several of their classmates’ projects.
Students will add positive feedback to at least two of their classmates’ projects.
Student feedback should clearly indicate that they have viewed the project.
This is my plan for the collaborative piece of this unit.
Goals:
Students will share their multimedia book reviews online.
Students will provide an authentic audience for each other.
Students will offer specific and positive feedback.
Objectives:
Using a Google Drawings readbox template, students will add links to their multimedia project.
Students will view several of their classmates’ projects.
Students will add positive feedback to at least two of their classmates’ projects.
Student feedback should clearly indicate that they have viewed the project.
After viewing each others’ projects, students will add positive comments to the Drawings as well.
In this test, two other users (thank you, husband and daughter!) were on the project along with me adding their comments.
However, as this is just a mock-up, their comments do not reference something within the projects. The students will be instructed to include a reference or connection in their comment to make it clear that they have viewed the project.
In this test, two other users (thank you, husband and daughter!) were on the project along with me adding their comments.
However, as this is just a mock-up, their comments do not reference something within the projects. The students will be instructed to include a reference or connection in their comment to make it clear that they have viewed the project.
Depending on the students, and whether they have already had our blogging lessons, some classes may need a lesson or two in constructing positive comments.
The entire unit uses a 1-4 grading rubric. For this portion, I will add an item to the 1-4 rubric. As instructed, students will need to clearly indicate in their comment that they have viewed the project in order to earn 4s.
I am excited to add this piece to the project! I’m still thinking about how to make sure all projects are viewed by peers. I may have students pair up, or choose randomly which projects they view.
The entire unit uses a 1-4 grading rubric. For this portion, I will add an item to the 1-4 rubric. As instructed, students will need to clearly indicate in their comment that they have viewed the project in order to earn 4s.
I am excited to add this piece to the project! I’m still thinking about how to make sure all projects are viewed by peers. I may have students pair up, or choose randomly which projects they view.