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 * The Use of Collaborative Frameworks from around the Globe**

Welcome to the first Student- Led Seminar in **Module Three - Global perspectives on e-learning. ** We hope that you both learn about, and learn through collaboration during the course of this seminar.

There are five learning intentions for this online learning experience that you will be working towards:
 * 1) Define collaboration and identify the role of collaboration in a blended learning environment.
 * 2) Analyze the use of a specified collaborative framework in a given context.
 * 3) Critically evaluate a variety of approaches to collaboration in a blended learning environment, and make a recommendation for best practice in supporting CSCL.
 * 4) Link individual learning about CSCL to own practice.
 * 5) Actively participate in a computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) experience.

There are four parts to this seminar, so time is of the essence, and collaborative group-work is the key to achieving the above Learning Intentions. This wiki is where you will be doing all of the work for Part 2 and Part 3.

 __** Part Two: Frameworks for facilitating CSCL **__

__**Dates**__ - 15th to 18th July

Each member of your "Seminar" group will be expected to choose one of the 3 frameworks listed below and "become an expert" in this framework by reading the appropriate article(s) AND contributing to the relevant wiki. You will need to have a sound understanding of this framework. Your knowledge will be needed in Part 3, when you will be regrouping with your "Seminar" group.

Choose one of the following collaborative frameworks: **Knowledge Creation (Finland & Chile) **
 * Progressive Inquiry (Finland & Canada/Australia) **
 * Social Cohesion (America & Italy) **

You need to "sign-up" to a Framework by going to the wiki page for the Framework of your choice (using the links on the right):
 * 1) Click edit
 * 2) Add your name to the group members list for the Framework
 * 3) You are now signed in to become an 'expert' for that Framework.
 * 4) If the name of another person from your group is already on tha t page, you will need to choose another framework!

__**What do I do if not all of my group have logged in, completed activities or signed up for a framework?**__
 * Firstly, as you can see one of the downsides to collaborative activities is that they rely heavily on the participation of all group members. The question is how do you get everyone involved within a set timeframe? This is something that we as a group have been discussing. We don’t want to push but we need to encourage. Does this link back a previous discussion about linking online participation to assessment? Congratulations to you for being available for your team and setting yourself up for collaboration within the set timeframe!
 * If only a few or even one person has filled on the Frameworks page within the timeframe, then we suggest that you complete the Frameworks page with your thoughts and just continue onto the next activity as per the timeframe. You can come back and revisit the Framework page at a later date. Your first ‘alliance’ is with your seminar "home" group.
 * The timeframe is a rough guide designed to ensure success. It is up to you as to the level of success and depth that they will get from our seminar experience. Your input will have a knock on effect to other team members but this is the downside of collaboration.
 * We encourage you to contact you team members and encourage them!
 * We understand that you have other commitments and are busy planning your own seminars. We hope that you also appreciate that the success of any seminar relies heavily on input from participants. So we want to ensure all participants get the most out of this seminar as possible. We think it is a valuable topic that we could all learn something from that we can use in our day-to-day practice.
 * We are here to help so any help needed, just ask a question and we will be there!

**__Part Three: Key Strategies for facilitating collaborative involvement in an online or computer supported environment.__** 

__ **Dates:** __ 18 July – 21 July

For this part you will rejoin your original "seminar" group members and contribute to the "Part 3 - Key Strategies" Wiki page. As a group, you should combine your knowledge of each framework and make suggestions as to the key strategies for ‘best practice ’in supporting CSCL. i.e. what needs to be in place for both the learner and the teacher to ensure an effective collaborative environment?

**__Tips to ensure a successful seminar:__**
 * You will be working with two different groups. Your "seminar group" is the same group of people that you are working through the student-led seminars with. Your "Framework Group" is made up of one person from each seminar group (possibly two if there are four group members).
 * During part two, you will break off from your Seminar group and work in "Framework Groups", and then reconvene as a "Seminar Group" for Part Three.
 * The Wiki Pages have clear instructions and links to all the resources that you will need to complete Parts 2 and 3 of the seminar.
 * You do not need to sign-in or sign-up to edit the wiki page, but if you already have a wikispaces account, please use it.
 * Stick to the time line. That way both your and your team members will get the most out of this experience. Otherwise, you may just be experiencing one of the downsides to online collaboration . :-)