Collaboration

**•How will you facilitate an authentic collaborative learning experience to promote deeper student engagement with content skills and concepts? **  In order to facilitate an authentic collaborative learning I will model collaboration I will form heterogeneous groups according to personality and ability and assign roles with in the group. Assigning roles will promote engagement as each student will be held accountable for the end project. Each group will be given the problem: Union Elementary needs new playground equipment. Union has been raising money for the equipment for several years but still needs $1000.00 in order to purchase and install the equipment. With your group research the list of fundraisering possibilities. Decide which fundraiser(s) Union should use to raise money. You can choose from 1-3 fundraisers. Create a presentation to show which fundraisers you have chosen and why. Possible fundraisers: Magazine sale, Cookie Dough Sale, School Dance, Candy Sale, Fruit Sale, Discount Cards, Bake Sale, Fall/Spring Festival, Candle Sale, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Sale •**As members of collaborative groups, how will you support students’ efforts to identify solutions to the problem you are using as the framework for your PBL instructional unit?** In order to support students’ efforts, I will provide students with a list of possible fundraisers and webistes to guide their decision. I will conference with each group to evaluate progress. I will be the facilitator offering questions to guide students’ learning rather than answers to questions. By incorporating higher order questions my students will be able to navigate through solutions to their problems and learning will be deeper and more meaningful. I will schedule time in the computer lab when the school technology specialist will teach students how to create power point presentations and documents in excel. **•What criteria will you use to assign learners to collaborative groups, including a rationale? What will be the size of the collaborative groups you will include in your unit?** When forming student groups I will group students according to ability. I will assign heterogeneous groups by looking at reading levels, grades, and background knowledge about the concept. I will also look at strengths and weaknesses of my students in a social setting. Each group will include 4 -5 members. **•Which digital tools and websites are you considering for collaboration in your unit?**

I will provide my students with a list of websites to research while making their decision of which fundraisers to incorporate in their effort to raise money for playground equipment. Students will have access to digital tools such as the SMART board, excel, and Power Point to prepare their presentations. [|www.fundraiserhelp.com] [] [|www.qsp.com] [|www.americas-favorite.com] [|www.indianriverfruits.com] [|www.emicards.com] [|www.yankeecandlefundraising.com] []

**•How will you assess participation of the students in their collaborative groups? (In Module 4, you will create assessment rubrics in which you will include this element.)** In order to assess students, I will create a rubric for which each student will be scored. The students will be given this rubric at the beginning of the assignment to ensure they understand expectations. Students will also be given exemplars that exceed, meet, and do not meet the rubric to help give them direction as they begin their project. Students will be scored on their collaborative presentation as well as individual participation. Participation grade will be determined by teacher observation and group member feedback.