Digital Writing in a Collaborative Learning Environment

1. Digital Writing in a Collaborative Learning Environment • Brian Kayser • Special Education Teacher at Walton Middle School in • Charlottesville, VA • bkayser@k12albemarle.org

2. The Physical Space • As a special education teacher, I have mostly taught collaborative classes, which meant I was always the guest in another teacher’s classroom. • When I was given space this year, I wanted to redesign it so the kids could feel as though they had their own space.

3. Steps I took... • There were three teacher desks in the space over the summer. I got rid of all three. • Got rid of all desks and replaced them with round tables. They’ve been much easier for the students to use for collaboration. • Took down all posters on wall. The only things that go on the wall are student-created work and materials and our map to show where we’ve connected this year.

4. Steps I took... • Added comfort furniture to the class. There are beanbags, pillows, empty five gallon buckets, and a couch. • Most students sit in different places each day. This simple decision means they enter the class already thinking. • Students can sit where they want as long as they are on task.

5. What it looks like... • To view panorama, please visit: http://360.io/KJgU4p

6. Student Blogging • Each student has their own EduBlog.org blog (total cost for 50 students is $40) • Students choose their theme and color layout • Students learn to post only the work they are truly proud of • All student blogs are posted on the language arts website for easy access • Students are given time to comment on each other’s blogs

7. Some examples

8. One more example

9. The Short Story Project - students are currently working on this - students first write a story and share it on Google Docs for feedback - once their story is written, students will tell the story in a different way (movie, puppet show, picture book, animation (goanimate.com) dramatic reading, etc) - students will then reflect how different mediums changed/enhanced/limited their story

10. The Short Story Project cont. • in this process, we’ve already had discussions about why certain mediums were better than others depending on the story • key element for students is telling a compelling story...they’re very interested to learn new technologies to get the best product possible

11. The Short Story Project cont. • Currently most students are on Part 2 of their project • Some are planning a movie, others are adapting their story into a children’s book, one student is producing a puppet show, and one student is retelling the story through Twitter conversations using FakeTweetBuilder (faketweetbuilder.com) • The biggest challenge is being able to help kids with a variety of problems and keeping an idea of where they are in their project

12. Comics

13. StripGenerator • An example from StripGenerator (stripgenerator.com) • What }I like about StripGenerator: • - it’s free • - very easy interface • multiple students can be logged into the same account at the same time

14. StripGenerator cont. What I don’t like about StripGenerator - strips can not be edited...once they’re submitted, it’s final - no color - limited characters and objects

15. BitStrips bitstrips.com - For examples, please visit https://sites.google.com/a/k12albemarle.org/kayser/history-ii-1865-to-present/civil-rights-movement BitStrips costs money, but they give a one month free trial. The comics are easy to make, very customizable, and give students a ton of options. This is my favorite comic creating site. ToonDoo.com is a free site with similar options, but it is more difficult to use and takes a very long time to load.

16. VoiceThread • Students have used VoiceThread (voicethread.com) for a variety of projects, such as telling about their favorite holiday memory, history projects, and as a digital story for elementary students • Please visit https://sites.google.com/site/ccglobal2012holidayproject/gw-kayser-charlottesville-va-6th-grade for examples

17. SoundCloud • SoundCloud (soundcloud.com, great iPod app) is a free site that allows students to record or post recordings of their work to be shared • Students have used this to tell about their favorite holiday memory after they wrote it. • We’ve also experimented with podcasting using AudioBoo (audioboo.com, great iPod app)

18. SoundCloud cont. • SoundCloud (soundcloud.com, great iPod app) is a free site that allows students to record or post recordings of their work to be shared • Students have used this to tell about their favorite holiday memory after they wrote it. • We’ve also experimented with podcasting using AudioBoo (audioboo.com, great iPod app)

19. Global Fiction Readings

20. Global Fiction Readings • Students write, edit, and rewrite • When students have a final draft, they practice reading with a partner • Students then read their writing to their classmates on a scheduled day • The reading is also broadcast through Ustream, a video streaming service (free), to family and other classes that can tune in

21. Global Fiction Reading Cont. • Students receive immediate feedback from their classmates and teachers • Through Twitter and Ustream, students also receive feedback

22. Some Feedback... Thanks, Rebecca, Tyler, et al. Now I know from whence many of you come, your backgrounds and bios. I enjoyed hearing y'all read. Not only was it interesting to hear your views about important topics such as bullying, but I enjoyed the fiction and poems, too. Flying dogs, magic bears, ghosts, and dragons (lots of them)? Thieves dressed in flags? Foods flavored with rosemary? And there was a lot more, too. Some of these things reminded me of what I think is called "magical reality." The writing I heard was very impressive. There were many excellent sentences; the clear sentences made it easy for me to understand the ideas you were presenting. I also heard many writers using sophisticated and strong vocabulary.; colorful words helped to paint a picture for me about what was happening in a parking lot, and action verbs helped to describe the movements of characters. Congratulations. JohnL

23. More Uses for Ustream... • I’ve also used Ustream to broadcast our band concerts, talent show, and graduation. • By sharing the Ustream link with families and other classrooms, it gives our kids a wider, authentic audience. • Link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/walton-wildcats

24. More feedback from our Ustream events...

25. More feedback from our Ustream events...

26. Google Docs • Google Docs allows for collaboration during the writing process. • Students can view each other’s work from their own computer and leave comments and ideas for each other. • Students can collaborate on one document at the same time from different computers, or from one and they all automatically have the updated document as long as it is shared with them.

27. Pen Pals • Students have pen pals from Ireland and Australia. • They have the opportunity to describe Charlottesville to their pen pals and to learn about other cultures. • Students share letters through email and Google Docs

28. Skyping • My students have Skyped with other middle school classes to share work and listen to others’ work. • We’ve Skyped with our pen pals in Ireland. • We’ve Skyped with elementary classes to listen to their work and teach them new material. • We’ve Skyped with a 9/11 survivor. • We’ve Skyped with a variety of classes for Dot Day, Digital Learning Day, and Read Across America Day.

29. Contact • Brian Kayser • Email: bkayser@k12albemarle.org • Twitter: @bkayser11 • Blog: bkayser11.wordpress.com