Monday, October 19
1:30 PM-5:00 PM
HST
Paniolo III

The WeCollabrify Suite of Free, Collabrified, ProductivityApps: Supporting Synchronous Collaboration InPrimary/Middle Grades

Workshop ID: 47860
  1. aaa
    Cathie Norris
    Univ. of North Texas
  2. aaa
    Elliot Soloway
    Univ. of Michigan

Abstract: Collaboration is a key 21st century skill. The CCSS calls “collaboration” an Anchor Skill. NEA’s Partnership for 21st Century Skills includes “collaboration” as one of the 4Cs – a skill that is needed for success in our global marketplace. With support from the WeCollabrify Suite of collabrified apps (free!), students learn how to collaborate synchronously by actually engaging in co-creating or co-editing a range of documents: WeCompose (writing), WeMap (concept mapping), WeKWL, WeSketch (drawing & animating). WeCollabrify apps support learners when they are co-located (in the classroom) and when they are not, e.g., working at home. A student never needs to learn alone again! Written in HTML5, the WeCollabrify apps are device-agnostic: all four apps run on iPads, Android tablets, laptops & desktops. The WeCollabrify apps make a BYOD classroom work! In our workshop, then, we will review lessons developed by primary and middle school teachers that employ the WeCollabrify apps.

Objectives

Develop understanding of how teachers can support students as they engage in synchronous collaboration and social learning. Develop expertise in using the WeCollabrify Suite of collabrified apps to support synchronous collaboration and social learning.

Topical Outline

1. Describe research support for the value of learners developing collaboration skills 2. Describe what productive collaboration sessions look like – show discourse snippets 3. Describe WeCollabrify Suite of collabrified apps (WeCompose, WeMap, WeKWL, WeSketch, etc.) 4. Describe examples of lessons in science and language arts that employ the WeCollabrify apps in elementary school and in middle school 5. Show short video clips of students engaging in productive collaboration as they use WeCollabrify apps 6. Describe how educators can run WeCollabrify on ALL devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops) and put up the schedule of regularly scheduled webinars that IMLC (Intergalactic Mobile Learning Center at UMich & UNT) offers for teachers to learn how to use the WeCollabrify apps 7. Question and Answer Session

Qualifications

Dr. Cathleen Norris, Regents Professor, Department of Learning Technologies, University of North Texas. Before moving to the University of North Texas, Cathie was a high school mathematics and computer science teacher for 14 years. In recognition of her outstanding teaching, the Dallas Public Schools awarded her the district’s Golden Apple Award. Cathie has been President of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), the leading international organization for technology-minded educators. From 1991 to 2001, she was the President of the National Educational Computing Association (NECA) that organized the premier conference on technology in K-12. As she brings both a classroom teacher’s perspective, a scientist’s perspective, and most recently, a business perspective to the use of technology in education, Cathie is a much sought after speaker both nationally and internationally. Dr. Elliot Soloway, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Computer Science & Engineering Department, University of Michigan. Elliot has published over 200 articles in books, journals, and magazines, and has received numerous national awards, e.g., in 2002 Elliot was selected to receive the ACM SIGCSE Outstanding Contribution to Computer Science Education Award, as well as university awards, e.g., in 2001, the undergraduates at the University of Michigan selected him to receive the “Golden Apple Award” as the Outstanding Teacher of the Year at UM, and in 2004 and again in 2011, the College of Engineering HKN Honor Society awarded Elliot the “Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award.” Elliot is the Past Chair and Grand Poobah of ISTE’s SIGML – Special Interest Group on Mobile Learning. Both Cathie and Elliot have given Spotlight sessions at NECC, ISTE, AACE Conferences, as well as giving Keynotes, Invited Presentations, and workshops at state, national, and international conferences since 1995.

Topics

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