John's+Think+Tank+II


 * Using Online Collaboration Tools **
 * Subject Area ** - Language Arts
 * Grade Level ** - 12 Grade

Students will receive an introductory lesson on how to employ a wiki as a tool to develop their presentation for a Problem Bases Learning project on the Gulf/BP oil leak.
 * Brief Description of Lesson **:

The students will know how to access, sign on to and participate in a wiki. The students will also know how to employ some of the tools available on a wiki, including setting up their own pages, posting information and communicating with others on the wiki. The students will also know how to use additional tools such as, RSS feeds, links and plug-ins to conduct their research and develop their PBL final presentation.
 * Expected Learning Outcomes **:

1. Using an LCD projector I will present an overview and guided tour of a wiki to the students and they will view a video tutorial. 2. I will demonstrate some of the additional features and tools to add to, and plug in to, the wiki, to enable the students to work on their projects (i.e. RSS feeds, concept mapping tools, research links and plug-ins.) 3. The students will sign on to the wiki site, set up a personal profile, and begin to develop their project page. On that page the students will identify their PBL project and the role they have in the project, and set some tasks to accomplish. 4. The students will visit the pages of their group mates and leave a comment on each of those pages providing encouragement and positive suggestions. 5. After establishing their individual page the group will establish a presentation page that will be the foundation for their presentation product. 6. The students will be directed to use the wiki as a tool to do research from, and to keep notes on, and gather information for their project.
 * Steps of the Lesson: **

The students will be instructed to sign in to the wiki each day and provide an update on what they are doing to complete their responsibility in developing the final presentation of their PBL project. They will exchange ideas, and share their findings with the other members of their group, and collaborate on developing their final product page.
 * Students use of online collaboration tools: **

Each PBL group will have assigned a mentor, a teacher or teacher assistant to offer support for all members in the group. Students with advanced cognitive abilities and higher order thinking skills, will be given greater autonomy to explore various online technology and resources to develop their component of the PBL project. Mentors will provide more concentrated guidance to students with special needs, by showing the students how to research information using video and audio media based information resources, as well as text based resources. They will provided as needed, hand over hand guidance, for using digital tools such as concept mapping, word processing and text and image manipulation.
 * Customization for Diverse Learners: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All the students will be required to initially develop their ideas using a concept mapping program such as bubbl.us, or Mondomo, or others graphic organizers. The concept map can then be employed as scaffolding for developing solutions to the PBL project.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Incorporating Creative Thinking Component: **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Students will be initially assessed on participation in establishing the wiki,, the quality of their wiki page, and for commenting on their group members wiki pages. There after students daily input to their wiki page, and to the development of the group product will be assessed.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Assessing Student Learning: **

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The students will each be assigned to a computer in the classroom. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Initially 2 full class periods will be dedicated to the introduction to the use of the wiki, and to enable students to begin their collaboration, and individual and cooperative research. · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In subsequent class periods, 30 minutes will be allotted for students to work on their wiki.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Manage Activities in the Classroom: **