OppForChangeBrookeErin

Summary of Change Project
 **Objective:** Breaking down the physical boundaries of the classroom by communicating with different classrooms using Skype

 **Need for Change:** Imagine a classroom without walls, where students can travel to different states, even countries and learn first-hand about communities, culture, weather, animals, plant life, and more. Though it may seem like a dream school, with today's technology, this is possible.

Even the way most schools are physically built, it seems as though they are designed to be their own little independent entities, with the teacher as the master ruler and the student as royal little subjects. High-stakes testing pit classes against one another. But then there is this increased interest in teaming with the rise of in popularity of Professional Learning Communities. If our schools are so team-oriented, stressing the need for collaboration, why are our classrooms not forced to collaborate.

In many public schools, there has been very little technological integration in the classroom. Students go to the computer lab to learn how to type and that is considered their technology exposure for most of their public school career. This year, students from the OMET cadre had the opportunity to work on a trial collaborative project with classrooms from different states (different grade levels, as well). Second grade students created a piece of artwork, middle schoolers wrote music to go along with the artwork, and high schools wrote poems for the art. The second graders were able to talk to the students at the middle school on a Skype teleconference and were full of questions. This learning environment was so intriguing to the students and they were all engaged in the process. This needs to happen more often. With the abundance of technology that is available, there are so many ways to connect students to students around the world.

 **Explanation of the Change:** Students will communicate with students from another school using Skype and various other social networking/collaborative tools. The initial phase of the collaboration project with focus on two classrooms as a trial run. The second phase will include several classrooms from different schools. Students will participate in a Skype call twice a month for thirty minutes. Projects will vary each Skype call but possibilities may include: data collection, weather discussions, collaborative writing assignments, art projects, dramatic play, etc.

 Evaluate the learning context of the change
 **What learning will need to take place and by whom?** First, teachers and students will learn how to use the basic functions of Skype, wikis, blogs, and podcasting software. Ultimately, teachers will learn how to facilitate classroom collaboration using web 2.0 tools. Students will learn the value of communicating online. Students will learn proper web equiette and safe chatting skills.  **How will you address the learning needs and challenges?** There will be more challenges than needs in this particular project.

1. Timing: Classrooms will be located in differing time zones with differing schedules. Teachers must plan ahead to ensure proper scheduling.

2. Parental Consent: Parents will be debriefed on policies and procedures concerning online collaboration. Parents will sign a permission slip allowing students to participate in online activities. Students whose parents do not sign the permission slip will be involved in a pen-pal collaboration project.

3. Hardware/Software: All computers must have Skype downloaded. Computers may need administrative rights from the district to download the program.

4. Age Difference: Due to the age difference between classes, activities scheduled will be age-appropriate activities for both students (reading activities, science projects, art, etc).

 Resource List
 **Hardware/Software** Each teacher/classroom must be equipped with the following items:  **Websites/Articles**
 * Skype
 * Microphone
 * Video/webcam
 * Internet connection
 * http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6515247.html (Ideas for Skype in the classroom)
 * http://www.wtvi.com/TEKS/05_06_articles/skype-in-the-classroom.html (Skype Tips for the classroom)

 Timeline
//__**School Year 2009-2010**__// **September** (mid-September) 2 Classes (Ms. Spencer/Ms. Berg) - Introductions and first meeting

 **October - January** (2 meetings each month- every other week) 2 Classes (Ms. Spencer/Ms. Berg)

 **February - April** (2 meetings each month- every other week) Recruitment of classes from each school (Perrydale and Saratoga Shores)

 //__**School Year 2010-2011**__// **Summer** Post past projects/ideas in teacher forums with the purpose to recruit classes 

**Sept-April** (2 meetings each month- every other week) Spread project to other schools in different locations

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<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); text-align: center; display: block;"> A reason why many oppose or resist change is because what is foreign or new because uncomfortable. In the case of our project, no change will be forced; it will rely on volunteers- those that are interested in taking part. This is much different than a REQUIRED change and our management will be somewhat different.=====

In order for our change project to be successful, the following must occur: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"> **- Effective Communication:** The very beginning of the project must be very detailed and organized as this process is new. Throughout the process, the teachers involved will be using email and Skype to communicate any issues or changes to ensure a smooth process. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"> **- Time:** If the project doesn't seem to be working right away, it is important to be optimistic and understand that any change takes time. Everything will not work out perfectly on the first, even second or third try. It may be awkward and not as effective as planned, but eventually (hopefully) it will work. Peter Senge, in his book, The Fifth Element, talks about the parable of the frog in a pot of boiling water. If you throw a frog in a pot of boiling water it will immediately jump out. If you put it in room temperature water and slowly heat it, the frog will adjust to temperature until it has no choice but to boil. The change must happen gradually over time. - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"> **Flexibility:** If something needs a minor adjustment, that should happen. No idea is set in stone and is open to flexibility to ensure the success of the project. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"> **- Encouragement:** With any project or process of change, all members affected or taking part in the change need to encourage others. It is easy when change occurs to become frustrated or discouraged. We need to keep an open mind and a positive attitude, along with good communication, to make sure that change is working. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"> **- Publicity:** After the initial steps of the process and it becomes time to publicize the project to other interested members, the teachers must share positive experiences in order to expand the project. Slowly, more teachers will hopefully get involved. Publicity will take place via email and through word-of-mouth for the second phase of the project. "One you have a few of these people in an organization you build momentum, and everything get much easier." - Peter Senge