The next part of the Wicked Problem Project is to evaluate my idea using TPACK. My project is addressing the issue of all group members contributing equal parts to a project. Students will be working with a group to create a board game based on the history of Michigan.
What is the TP knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how does the technology you have chosen support the teaching strategies and methods you have chosen?)
I chose to use Wikispaces as a place for my students to work as a group, so that I can clearly see who is contributing what to the project. By using Wikispaces and giving due dates for specific parts of the project, I will be able to give feedback and allow groups to improve their project as they go. Also, by having students use Wikispaces to create their project they will be more engaged. This is because students enjoy working in groups and by allowing them to use a technology to do this it will increase their engagement even more.
What is the TC knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how specifically does this technology make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible? Be sure to think about representation.)
Often times technology is just added on and does nothing to enhance the content of the lesson. My goal is to use Wikispaces to enhance the content of my lesson on Michigan history. By using Wikispaces to create the parts of their project my students will have the opportunity to work together and I will be able to see how they are working as a group. They also will be able to give feedback to their peers and make adjustments to their project based on feedback they receive. By using an Internet tool to create their project, students will be able to work at school and at home. This will give students the time they need in order to create their part of the project. The students will need to research the history of Michigan in order to create the questions for their project, which I will allow them to use textbooks and resources in the classroom as well as the Internet. By using the Internet to research the information and then put it onto their group's Wikipage, students will get to learn the information in a new way. After using the technology to plan the parts of the game in one spot, it will be easy to see how it will all come together in the final board game project.
What is the PC knowledge for the solution? (i.e., how specifically do your pedagogical choices make the content in your problem more intellectually accessible?) Be sure to think about how the student will experience the content given these instructional strategies.
By having my students work in groups using Wikispaces the content will be more accessible to them because they will learn from each other. It also makes students take responsibility for their part of the project. Often when students work in a group they do not contribute equal parts to the project. So by telling students up front that I will be checking to see that they all have contributed equal parts, will help them to succeed. This will get them used to working together as well as hold them responsible for their part. By using these pedagogical strategies the content in my problem will be more intellectually accessible.
Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with your comment that students love to work in groups. However, as you noted, some students like to get away with completing minimal work, while others contribute much more. I am glad you are going to track contributions. This is one reason why I love Google docs. A teacher can clearly progress who is contributing and who is not.
Have your students used Wikispaces before? It will be important to make sure they have a strong understanding of how Wikispaces works because when I first used it, I thought it was tricky to understand. Good luck!
I know you outlined the idea in Part A, but I am still impressed with the idea that on Wikispaces you can moniter who contributes what content. As you said it will really help to fix the problem of a few students doing all the work. I am not really familiar with Wikispaces, but hopefully it is something that students can work with. I also enjoy the social learning aspects of your project, students don't often understand that sometimes the best resource they can go to is their peers. I think that this project will help them realize that. Sounds like things are going well for you so far, keep it up!
ReplyDeleteCollaboration will be a powerful experience for the students. Being able to collaborate anywhere with an internet connection changes the game. Additionally, being able to "see" who does what (and when) gives you embedded accountability (the "eye" is always watching... :) ).
ReplyDeleteYour project is very strong in regards to technology and pedagogy, yet it seems to be lacking in how the content will be more intellectually accessible. For example, you say, "My goal is to use Wikispaces to enhance the content of my lesson on Michigan history." This is a great goal, but how do you plan to enhance the content?
Overall, excellent approach. I look forward to seeing how this project grows...
I have the exact same challenge with my students! Most people know about google docs, but I'm glad that you are using wikispaces for this. Are you going to further the collaboration by putting thought into groups or are they picking their groups? This can really affect the outcome. To begin, it might help if students are friends and want to engage in conversation, then work toward same readiness level or heterogenous readiness levels. What are you addressing in Michigan history? Will this be more research based and collecting information, or will it be more of creating a product as a group? I think you could take this collaboration from the initial research to then working on a project online as well. For example, like we are doing, they could all work on a prezi together. Will you have a structure or rubric for giving each other feedback or evaluating their group members? Will they be collaborating on resources or will those already be given to them?
ReplyDeleteI think this will turn out great, and hopefully you will see significantly more contributions from students that usually don't. I can't wait to see this using wikis?