Key+Strategies+-+Seminar+Group+3

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

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

 * 1) ====**[|Nourah Habib]**====
 * 2) ====**[|Suzanne Maria Deuchar]**====
 * 3) ====**[|Gabrielle Bahler]**====
 * 4) ====**[|Wendy Sandifer]**====

**//__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:**
Brown, A. & Voltz, B. Elements of Effective E-Learning Design. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, Vol 6, No 1 (2005), ISSN: 1492-3831
 * 1) Rich learning activities A rich activity is one that opens up opportunities for action rather than directs students down a prescribed pathway and is complex enough both to engage and to challenge students for the duration of the study, if not longer (Brown & Voltz, 2005) (GB)
 * 2) Real world contexts/scenarios (GB)
 * 3) Timely and constructive feedback/reflection (GB)
 * 4) A balance between scripted versus free collaboration depending on the desired educational outcome (Pozzi, 2009). (GB)
 * 5) Expanding global awareness and understanding and appreciation of diversity -  Global digital classrooms provide flexible forums where learners have opportunities to inquire into topics of mutual interest and explore possibilities in practice relevant for teaching and learning in the twentyfirst century.(Lock & Redmond 2006) WS
 * 6) Higher order thinking and Metacognition (WS)
 * 7) Learner centred and driven, teacher supported and guided...'a balance between teacher controlled and student controlled aspects of Inquiry (Hakkkarainen, Lipponen, & Jarvela) (WS)
 * References:**
 * References:**

Pozzi, F. (2009). Using Jigsaw and Case Study for supporting online collaborative learning. Instituto Tecnologie Didattiche (ITD)-CNR, Genoa, Italy.