Let's+Collaborate

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 * Collaboration defined:** **To work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor.** ~ [|Merriam Webster Online]

Why collaboration?
//“Through my work with the business community, it has become apparent that there isn’t a lack of employees that are technically proficient but a lack of employees that can adequately communicate and collaborate, innovate and think critically ,” said Ken Kay, president of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. “At this pivotal moment in our nation’s history, legislators and policymakers must focus on the outcomes we know produce graduates capable of competing in the 21st century and forging a viable economic future." ~From the press release for the 21st Century Skills Education and Competitiveness Guide.// [|Full Report]

[|The Partnership for 21st Century Skills]

 * [[image:The_Partnership_for_21st_Century_Skills_-_Framework_for_21st_Century_Learning.jpg width="477" height="383"]] || [[image:The_Partnership_for_21st_Century_Skills_-_Framework_for_21st_Century_Learning-1.jpg width="352" height="95" align="center"]]


 *  Communication & Collaboration Skills **
 * 1) Articulating thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively through speaking and writing
 * 2) Demonstrating ability to work effectively with diverse teams
 * 3) Exercising flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal
 * 4) Assuming shared responsibility for collaborative work ||

Blogs
__//Why Blog?//__ "..., //giving educators and students an unprecedented opportunity for easy self-expression and reflection that anyone can access--and to which anyone can respond."// "//There is an excitement that comes from writing for a real, authentic audience instead of a circular file seen only by the teacher//..." [|eSchool News ~Panelists: Blogs are changing education]

Resources:
 * [|Edublogs]
 * [|21Classes]
 * [|SchoolBlog]
 * [|Blogs in Plain English] - What is a blog video...

Wikis
__//Why Wiki?//__ As a functional hybrid of wikis and instant messaging, collaborative editing creates a new dynamic for group work, whether for a formal paper or a set of lecture notes. Working simultaneously on a document can build a sense of community among the editors that is not possible if the document were simply passed from one individual to the next. Group work and multitasking are fast becoming two of the hallmarks of today’s learners, and collaborative editing is a natural ﬁt for environments that support learning activities with technology. ~Educause,[|7 Things You Should Know About Collaborative Editing]

Resources:
 * [|Wikispaces] - Ad-free sites for educators!
 * [|PBwiki] - Free!
 * [|Wetpaint] - Ad free for educators!
 * [|Wikis in Plain English] - What is a wiki video...

Google
//__Why Google?__// From the top [|10 reasons to use Google Apps]... What better way to prepare your students for the newest technology in the workplace, then by giving it to them as a part of their educatio Google Docs, our word processing application, doesn't just give you access to the same document, it actually allow students to work on the same document at the same time from anywhere in the world.
 * 8. Innovation in real-time**
 * 9. Collaborate globally**
 * [|Google Apps] - FREE! - [|SouthwesternSD]
 * [|Google Docs]
 * [|Google Spreadsheets]
 * [|Google Forms]
 * [|Google Maps]
 * [|Google Docs Tour]
 * [|Google Docs in Plain English] - What is Google Docs video...

Social Bookmarking
Delicious is a social bookmarking service that allows you to tag, save, manage and share Web pages all in one place. With emphasis on the power of the community, Delicious greatly improves how people discover, remember and share on the Internet.
 * [|Delicious] - [|mmkrill] on delicious

Diigo is a powerful research tool and a knowledge-sharing community.
 * [|Diigo] - [|mmkrill] @ Diigo

[|Social Bookmarking in Plain English] - What is social bookmarking video...

Graphic Organizers - coming soon! Bubbl.us Mind42

Whiteboards - coming soon!

Local Collaborative Opportunities

 * ===[|South Western Best Practices]===
 * ===[|SmARTist Wikispace]===
 * ===Central PA Wiki===


 * ===CFF Subject Area Wikis===
 * Math
 * Science
 * Social Studies
 * Language Arts


 * ===CFF Listserv===

Global Collaborative Opportunities
"The Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) is an ambitious project to organize and make available via the Internet virtually all information about life present on Earth." "**Wikipedia** is a multilingual, Web-based, free content encyclopedia project." "...an innovative, AWARD WINNING, global collaborative project."
 * ===[|Encyclopedia of Life]===
 * ===[|Wikipedia]===
 * ===Flat Classroom===

**[|ePals]**
Connecting Global Classrooms and Project-Based Learning Using Safe Collaborative Technologies

**[|Global School]**
"Global SchoolNet's mission is to support 21st century learning. We engage teachers and students in meaningful project learning exchanges with people around the world to develop literacy and communication skills, foster teamwork and collaboration, encourage workforce preparedness and create multi-cultural understanding. We prepare youth for full participation as productive and effective citizens in an increasing global economy. "

[|TakingITGlobal - TIGed]
Give your students access to global perspectives on global issues, new ways to express their creativity, and tools to better engage them in their education - all in an environment that you control.

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