Technology and Collaborative Learning The Teaching of Writing Vassiliki Kourbani Dimitris Tolias

The Concept Technology has –Revolutionized teaching –Accelerated experimentation –Provided possibilities for new interpersonal contacts –Engaged students in exploring the language –Brought students and teachers together

The learning framework Collaborative –Interaction –Involvement –Communication Autonomous and Independent –Invention –Self-organization –Self-evaluation –Detachment Simulated –Create –Explore –Expose –Facilitate –Interpret

Applying theory to practice The Case of the Hellenic American University Writing Center The methodology philosophy The learning and teaching concept Collaborative Software Collaborative Design Teaching Writing Principles

Design and Rationale The Isles of Collaborative Learning –Sharing –Accessing –Participating –Motivating –Visualizing The Environment [ Physical and Virtual ] –Patented furniture Embedded screens Octagonal shaped Ample work surface –Cutting-edge technology Interactive electronic whiteboard Collaborative software –Conducive to learning Group work Individual work

Resources 19 work stations –Windows XP Fast Internet Connection –100 Mbps LAN [Local Network] –Independence NetOp School –Virtual classroom application Mimio –Interactive whiteboard NetMeeting –Communication tool

The Writing Center as a classroom environment Monitoring –Tutor can demonstrate – monitor – interact –Individual attention –Group Collaboration Interaction –Multiple active communication –Text and media transfer –Immediate feedback Collaboration – Visualization –Sharing tutor notes and suggestions real-time –Subgroups of cooperation –Independent student cooperation Transfer –Knowledge effectively and quickly streamlined –Multiple inputs –Difference learning styles are met –Multiple transferring of data

Monitoring NetOp School© software helps instructors monitor students real-time –Instructor selects computer screen to monitor without interrupting student’s flow of work –Instructor sends note messages with advice and tips Monitoring can be done –on a whole-class-basis –to selected groups –to individual students Note messages –are usually brief –include a tip –pinpoint errors –provide web links to external sources

Interaction NetOp and NetMeeting© software allow interaction between instructor and students in various forms –Written text –Sound files –images Each student is able –to access immediate feedback on the progress of his work –to share his/her work with other students –to form active subgroups within the same class Instructors may use the Chat Feature of NetOp –to communicate with one or more students –to provide the option to students to initiate a real-time discussion with their classmates

Collaboration-Visualization Mimio© software –Remains active from the beginning of each session –Allows instructor to have the complete attention of the class All teacher notes are projected to the central screen All teacher notes are saved and transmitted electronically onto the students’ computers NetOp© software –Facilitates immediate visualization and sharing of work Instructor selects members in work groups and have them share texts or assignments Instructor and students work on a document at the same time

Transfer Quick and effective transfer of knowledge within the environment –Instructor to students Texts or media files –Students to students Shared assignments and feedback Transfer of knowledge is achieved trough the combined use of –Interactive board –Power point presentation –Screen monitoring –Real-time communication –Selected dispatching of information –Publicizing students’ work as example or sample for the rest of the class