TILA Teacher Training Organizing telecollaboration projects 2013 TILA

Stages in the organization of telecollaboration Preparation Adaptation Realization Evaluation © 2013 TILA Organizing

Preparatory stage (1) If you want to initiate a telecollaborative project start organizing it months before. © 2013 TILA Distilling objectives. Think: 1. Why would you like to initiate a telecollaboration project? 2. What would you like to achieve? 3. In which course would you like to integrate it? 4. What would you like your learners to do within the telecollaboration project? Define the learning goals. 5. How would you create a win-win situation for all participants? 6. Use of the TL as Lingua Franca or in a tandem setting? Organizing telecollaboration projects 3

Preparatory stage (2) Communicating ideas and getting support: 1. From the school board 2.

Preparatory stage (3) Selecting telecollaboration tools: 1. Getting familiar with tools, their affordances and drawbacks Looking for partners abroad, you can use 1. The TILA network 2. Your own network 3. Digital platforms such as e-twinning for secondary education: http: //www. etwinning. net/en/pub/index. htm © 2013 TILA Intent for higher education: http: //uni-collaboration. eu/ Organizing telecollaboration projects 5

Preparatory stage (4) Investing in fluid communication with partners: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. © 2013 TILA Share ideas for integrating telecollaboration Share expectations Share enthusiasm Share pedagogical views Share objectives Be open to otherness (communication, pedagogy, style) Be flexible Be open to unexpected challenges Organizing telecollaboration projects 6

Preparatory stage (5) Checking computers, firewall and Internet connections 1. First IT colleagues of the different institutions participating 2. Then the colleagues from the different schools engaged in the project Checking Pedagogy 1. Developing effective tasks for telecollaboration 2. Adjusting them to the syllabus 3. Creating a win-win situation 4. Defining teacher roles: initiator, coach, monitor, evaluator, researcher 5. Developing evaluation tools (journals, rubrics) © 2013 TILA Organizing telecollaboration projects 7

Preparatory stage (6) Creating communication groups. Size will depend upon: 1. 2. 3. Activity goals Type of communication (synchronous/asynchronous) The tool being used (for synchronous communication groups of 2 or 3 students are recommended) Keep groups constant for a large period of time in order to build up interpersonal relationships. © 2013 TILA Organizing telecollaboration projects 8

Preparatory stage (7) Selecting a period and scheduling activities (google calender). Agreeing upon: 1. Synchronous, asynchronous modes of communication, both? 2. During or outside teaching time? 3. In the classroom, in a computer room, at home? 4. Frequency (every week, every two weeks, concentrated in a project week) Organizing tutorials for learners to get familiarized with: 1. The project goals 2. The tools Organizing a (skype) session from classroom to classroom where teachers and (a group of) learners share their project expectations. © 2013 TILA Be proactive and maintain fluid and open communication 9 channels with all parties involved in the project!

Realization stage 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Coach learners Monitor communication processes and learners’ progress Stimulate creativity, open attitudes, communication & reflection Comment their telecollaborative work in a constructive manner Focus on the learning moments during telecollaboration Keep communicating with your partner/s abroad on project issues (what is positive? what are the challenges? what should be adapted? Share experiences with colleagues, school board & 2013 TILA telecollaboration projects telecollaboration. Organizing community 7. © 10

Evaluation stage Tools for evaluation: Learners (and involved teachers): 1. 2. 3. Interviews Questionnaires (google, surveymonkey) Journals: reflection About the positive/challenging aspects of the project (goals, tasks, group format, tools used, learning, coaching, time spent, role ICT tools). © 2013 TILA 11

Over to you Start organizing with a workshop colleague your telecollaboration project. Define • Goals & expectations • Partners to collaborate with • Which tool would you use for which purpose ? • Think of a collaboration task and decide which tool(s) you would use and why © 2013 TILA Organizing telecollaboration projects 12