Key+Strategies+-+Seminar+Group+4

= **Part 3: //The use of collaborative frameworks in blended learning contexts from around the globe.//** =

__**//Group Members://**__ ("Seminar" groups)

 * 1) ====**[|Nick Rate]**====
 * 2) ====**[|Anne Hilton]**====
 * 3) ====**[|Viv Hal]**====

**//__Learning Intention:__//**

 * ==== Critically evaluate a variety of approaches to collaboration in a blended learning environment, and make a recommendation for best practice in supporting CSCL. (LI 3) ====
 * ==== Actively participate in a computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) experience. (LI 5) ====

**//__Process:__//**

 * ====Each member of your team should be an expert in one of the 3 frameworks (from Part 2 activity).====
 * ====Your next task is to combine your knowledge of each framework and make suggestions as to the key strategies for ‘best practice ’in supporting collaboration in an online environment. i.e. what needs to be in place for both the learner and the teacher to ensure an effective collaborative environment?====
 * ====You will need to justify your choice. e.g. Online collaboration is best when it is a project based learning concept because….====
 * ====As these are the key strategies you cannot have more than 8 strategies so you will have to choose your strategies carefully.====
 * ====Once you have identified your 8 key strategies, you need to work with your group members and order these strategies from most important (number 1) to least important (number 8).====
 * ====We encourage you to look at what other teams are doing and to ‘piggy back’ on some of their ideas if you want to.====
 * ====As you are working though this process, we encourage you to “talk’ to your team members. You can do that here in the wiki, via the Stream chat or Adobe Connect.====
 * ====At the end of this section, you should have gathered some strategies for sustaining an effective online environment and be able to utilize them in your own context.====

==**Our teams “top 8” strategies for ‘best practice; in supporting collaboration in an online environment and supporting reasons are:**== .
 * 1) **Shared clarity and purpose.** //Clarify the purpose of the activity system, and understand the subject and the relevant context in which the activities occur// (Jonassen and Rohrer-Murphy, 1999), //Object of the activity (or objective, ie, the goals and intentions)// (Engeström, 1987).
 * 2) **Teacher & educational professionals must 'walk the talk'.** //It is easy to understand at the conceptual level that in order to guide students' knowledge-building processes, teachers should have personal experiences of knowledge creation// (Paavola, Lipponen & Hakkarainen, 2002).
 * 3) **Opportunities to reflective, discuss & question.** //...members must encourage each other to ask questions, explain and justify their opinions, articulate their reasoning, and elaborate and reflect upon their knowledge// (Zurita & Nussbaum, 2007).
 * 4) **Insufficient Time Allowance.** //Insufficient time allowance is a error with CSCL extra time must be allowed for meetings, developing shared philosophies, discussing view points, ICT intergration, clarifying expectations, times zones etc// ( Lock, 2006)
 * 5) **Articulation.** //Learning requires articulation and role modelling which must be accounted for in the planning and organising//.(Henri, 1992) //Metacognition learning occurs more in text based dialogue rather than traditional learning environments.//
 * 6) **Role of the Teacher is Essential.** //This is essential in the design and implementation of online collaborative work to achieve higher order thinking. CSCL requires teacher input at all stages for organisation and scaffolding both in the task and the skills required to achieve the task. It takes 3-5 years to develop pedagogy practices and ICT knowledge sufficient enough for CSCL alone.// (Lock, 2006)
 * 7) **Models** - CSCL via collaboration enhances learners' understanding about diversity ( Johnson & Johnson, 1994) Provides models, eg Jigsaw & Case Study, for practice in diverse and inclusive classrooms
 * 8) **Design of Online Learning Activities** - Collaborative activities need to be structured to develop exchanges of competencies & knowledge. Highly structured activities should be taken into account in contexts where the aim is to develop students' ability to work in groups and reflect with others. Individual reason, social dimension can be fostered in more unstructured activities. ( Pozzi 2010)

==Next, you need to log back into the Massey Forum and reflect on your learning for this Student Led Seminars. The Reflection needs to be posted by 9:00pm on Friday the 23rd of July.==