Our group used technology as a tool to help us stay on the same page. We utilized Google Docs to share our brainstorming notes and then also to compile each person's individual part of our Rationale. Using these tools allowed us to read and peer-edit our work in a time efficient manner, which allowed us to expedite the editing process. Once we had all finished our individual parts of the Rationale, we uploaded them to the Google Docs for editing prior to publishing it to our wiki. Additionally, we used technology such as PowerPoint and Word to create our lesson plans and scaffolding presentations.
2. How could you have used technology in additional ways to help your work?
We could have incorporated more Internet-based activities in order to encourage the students to become more technologically-savvy and familiar using various modes of technology available today. We could have researched various websites similar to the site we used during the problem-solving workshop.
3. What did you learn about technology, collaborative work, problem-solving, and/or interaction by doing the group project?
I found that creating and publishing a group project required a lot more communication than most group projects. At first, I was nervous about the project because we didn't communicate about the project during the weekend, but started working on the project during the first in-class work session. However, I was really happy that our group was able to effectively brainstorm and we were all able to complete our designated project for Thursday's class. This allowed us to determine what else needed to be done before the due date, and when we met on Saturday, we were able to finish the remaining elements of the project in just a few hours. Using technology definitely allowed us to communicate more effectively, as it allowed us to work on our components when it was the most convenient for us individually.
I found that creating and publishing a group project required a lot more communication than most group projects. At first, I was nervous about the project because we didn't communicate about the project during the weekend, but started working on the project during the first in-class work session. However, I was really happy that our group was able to effectively brainstorm and we were all able to complete our designated project for Thursday's class. This allowed us to determine what else needed to be done before the due date, and when we met on Saturday, we were able to finish the remaining elements of the project in just a few hours. Using technology definitely allowed us to communicate more effectively, as it allowed us to work on our components when it was the most convenient for us individually.
4. How can what you learned inform your own teaching (either in the second language classroom, or elsewhere)?
This experience will definitely help me remember to plan ahead of time and more efficiently as a teacher. I was so happy with the final outcome of our group project because of the positive communication, and will definitely strive to replicate the experience with future collaborations. As for future teaching, I will also strive to include technology-enhanced activities in order to challenge my students and introduce them to varied types of learning and lessons/activities.
