Online+Projects+Lesson

**Essential Question**
How can students collaborate with people outside the classroom in authentic situations?

**Session Starter**
Think back on a project you enjoyed working on as a student. Remember and reflect on why you enjoyed those memorable projects. Share your project and why it was notable.

**Creating a Definition of an Online Project**
Think - Pair (Triples) - Share. Using the Missouri online resources for **[|"Online Projects"]**, examine the list of Online Projects you were given. You will have time to examine the entire list of projects, so for this first activity, only browse those on your list.
 * 1) Spend 20 minutes looking at those on your website list strip.
 * 2) Partner groups will then spend 20 minutes sharing which projects they examined. What did you like? Not like? Thought was creative? etc...
 * 3) Partner groups will spend 10 minutes creating a definition of an online project. What characteristics and/or qualities must be present? Groups will need to post their definitions to the Online Projects Discussion Tab.

**Qualities of Online Projects Discussion**
Online projects - learning activities that use the Internet - differ from other Internet activities in important ways. An online project uses the unique qualities of the Web to enhance a curriculum-based lesson. These qualities include the following:


 * 1) Timely, continually updated information
 * 2) Rich resources for topics that learners cannot find elsewhere
 * 3) Connections to students, teachers, and experts all over the globe
 * 4) Student Motivation
 * 5) Education in social skills, cooperative problem solving, conflict resolution and many other concepts.
 * 6) Thinking - Upper levels of Bloom's Taxonomy
 * 7) Curricular goal or purpose
 * 8) In depth topic investigation, real work connections
 * 9) Open-ended in scope
 * 10) Social Context
 * 11) Technology use reaches top level of Grappling's Technology Use Spectrum
 * 12) [|Project-based learning] that is student-centered, authentic and involves the development of a product, presentation or performance
 * 13) FUN!

Remember, most online projects include collaboration with people from other locations and many have a real-world application. Results of the project can be disseminated to all participants so everyone (globally) can benefit from the larger experience.

**Putting into Practice - Finding Projects to Match YOUR Curriculum**
//Always start with the curriculum in mind when looking for a project. No matter how interesting the project, it can be a waste of time if it does not align with a curricular goal.//
 * 1) Spend time looking at and finding online projects that would be fun and valuable for use in your classroom.
 * 2) Share your "finds" with your grade level.
 * 3) Is there a project which you could collaborate with another class? Maybe even another class in this room? Make arrangements now!

[|6th Grade NASA Challenge Project]

Evaluating and Comparing Online Projects
Review Online Project Evaluation handout. Compare strengths and weaknesses of the 3 projects. Example of a teacher created project - from the eMINTS listserve

**Quick Glance Back!**
Cooperative Learning Structure - 4 Corners. In your grade levels, come up with ways to use 4 corners with your curriculum. InterWrite Revisited - Pens/Highlighters/Erasers