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<\/a>Online collaboration takes on new significance as students extend their learning network in conjunction with more personalized and meaningful learning: they can use online networks to learn with mentors, with community partners, remote collaborators and with asynchronous and synchronous group work.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The online world is collaborative. In schools, we should take advantage of the opportunity to collaborate online. There are a myriad of possible options for our students. Let\u2019s explore a few\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n In one scenario, we linked the students in my classroom to other students around the state. <\/span>We all read the same novel – <\/span>Inside Out and Back Again<\/span><\/i> by Thanhha Lai – at virtually the same time. Regularly, students would discuss the book, share ideas, and post products within this online community. <\/span><\/p>\n It was hugely successful.<\/span><\/p>\n Kids were excited about reaching others; they were motivated to stay in the loop and keep up with assignments; discussions became richer and deeper due to the participation. <\/span><\/p>\n There are many platforms that can be used; we used Edmodo in this case, mostly because it was free and easy for students from all schools to use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These days, video conferencing applications are free and easy to use. I use Google Hangouts on a regular basis to connect with colleagues and teachers. Many people use Skype, as well. It doesn\u2019t matter which you use; but there are so many applications. As educators, we want to encourage our students to explore personal interests and to engage in real-world issues. Never before has it been easier to gain knowledge from those afar. <\/span><\/p>\n One year, a reading group in my class read <\/span>The Revealers<\/span><\/i> by Doug Wilhelm. Actually, we\u2019ve read it a few times after it was published, but this was most recently. I had known that the author was a local Vermont man, and I reached out to him through email. Within weeks, my students had contacted Mr. Wilhelm and scheduled a 1 hour Skype session. They were ecstatic! <\/span><\/p>\n For the days leading up to the Skype call, the students planned the agenda, brainstormed questions, and tested the technology. When the day of the Skype arrived, the event did not disappoint. Students were thrilled, engaged, and connected; the author was gracious, thoughtful, and curious about the responses of his readership. <\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s actually become relatively common for children and young adult book authors to video conference with classrooms. Vermont YA author Kate Messner frequently Skypes with students, which looks like this:<\/span><\/p>\nConnect outside of your classroom community<\/h3>\n
![\"online](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/edmodo_discussion.jpg\")
<\/a>In the past, I have used edmodo<\/a> and other learning management systems to create an online class community for discussion. <\/span><\/p>\nConnect with and gain expertise from a remote expert<\/h3>\n