Online Learning

Tracking Collaboration

By: Jared Mader and Ben Smith

Using technology to collaborate on school topics. Many times students have questions or comments about their homework and don't have a way of asking when they are at home. Communication tools such as wikis, Google Docs, student e-mail, and chatting all allow for students to interact. Chatting in real time is another way to help students understand the material while at home. By scheduling chats students can converse with each other and with the teacher to reinforce their knowledge. Wiki and Google Docs give the teacher the ability to check the students progress and the time stamps record when the assignments were submitted. Not only do these communication devices allow for increased teacher involvement and discussions with fellow students, but it also provides ways to communicate with other students from other classes, schools and/or countries. 

There are other ways to have our students communicate through technology, texting, but this method doesn't help students develop the appropriate writing skills. Using wikis and wikispaces can also help teacher put up tutorials to help their student with their writing skills.

"By helping our students become more effective communicators, we are helping them grow into global contributors".

I think using these types of communication websites helps our quiet students become more involved in their learning as well. I don't think that all discussions should be handled in this way, but I do believe it is just another way we can encourage our students to grow, especially in this technology growing world.