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Learning Circles Writing ‘Round the World The Netherlands 2006 Bob Hofman Barry S. Kramer Margaret Riel Minoo Shamsnia And others….

Learning CirclesWorkshop Objectives: 

Learning Circles Workshop Objectives Understand the Concept of a Learning Circles Think about what Projects Work Best in Learning Circles Consider the Educational Benefits of Learning Circles Learn how to get Involved or next steps to take

Learning CirclesWhat Are Learning Circles?: 

Learning Circles What Are Learning Circles? Authentic Audiences For Students A number of research studies show same effect: Writing in the context of meaningful projects leads to skill development that is higher than is achieved with routine drill and practice methods. Emphasis on Writing across the Curriculum Focus on Multi-Disciplinary Themes Support for Collaborative Learning

Learning CirclesWhat Are Learning Circles?: 

Learning Circles What Are Learning Circles? What Is Involved In Meaningful Writing Projects? Connecting learning to people, places and activities Understanding the values and perspectives of different groups Communicating ideas and attitudes through writing using language appropriately Developing identity

Learning CirclesWhat Are Learning Circles?: 

Learning Circles What Are Learning Circles? Learning Circles promote theme-based project work integrated with the classroom curriculum Working with Learning Circle partners from around the world helps students develop important interpersonal skills Learning Circles also encourage interactions among teachers providing a very different model of professional development

Learning CirclesWhat Are Learning Circles?: 

Learning Circles What Are Learning Circles? Cross-Classroom Collaboration To Create A Circle Publication Group Investigations within Classrooms. Group Investigations across Classrooms.

Learning CirclesThe Learning Circle Model: 

Learning Circles The Learning Circle Model Learning Circle Partners (A Group of 6-10 Classes) Grade Level Compatibility Geographic Diversity Common Timeline Task Coordination Individual Creativity Responsibility to the Group

Learning CirclesPhases of a Learning Circle: 

Learning Circles Phases of a Learning Circle Overview The Learning Circle Teacher Guide provides a structural approach to promoting cross-classroom collaboration with telecommunications. The first chapter provides an overview. If you want to understand this model of online teaching and learning, it is a good place to begin

Learning CirclesPhases of a Learning Circle: 

Learning Circles Phases of a Learning Circle Getting Ready for Learning Circles Opening the Learning Circle Planning the Learning Circle Projects Exchanging Student Work on Learning Circle Projects Organizing the Circle Publication Closing the Learning Circle

Learning CirclesOpening the Circle: 

Learning Circles Opening the Circle Classroom Survey (Online) About the Students About the School About the Community Welcome Packs (Postal Mail or multi-media projects) Send whatever fits in a large envelope (pictures, brochures, drawings, symbols, etc.) that will tell others Who you are What you look like What you like to do Where you live

Introductions: 

Introductions Who has been in a learning circle before? Who is a teacher? Who supports learning of teachers or students or contributes to school change

Workshop Circles: 

Workshop Circles Who are you? What is your connection to teaching? What do you teach that could benefit from international participation 5-10 minutes

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Learning CirclesPlanning Circle Projects: 

Learning Circles Planning Circle Projects Responsibility andamp; Commitment Each Class as a team organizes or 'sponsors' a project for the group Every class is responsible to send at least one response to the projects in their Learning Circle

Learning CirclesExamples of Learning Circle Projects: 

Learning Circles Examples of Learning Circle Projects Places and Perspectives Elementary Comparing Places Historical City Tour Local History Timeline What Peace Means To Me Weather Ecosystems Local Animal Habitats Mind Works Middle School Circle Stories Invention Convention Place Poetry Cultural Stories Predictions 2020 Folklore/Folktales Teen Tales Computer Chronicles High School New World Order Economic Issues Ozone and the Environment Solar Power A.I.D.S. Oil Spills

Learning CirclesExchanging Student Work: 

Learning Circles Exchanging Student Work Students... Research topics from other classes. Work with community resources. Learn to monitor goals on schedule. Develop strategies to encourage others to meet deadlines. Store andamp; retrieve information with technology Picture by Heather Davis John Wayland Elementary School

Learning CirclesA Specific Project: A Learning World: 

Learning Circles A Specific Project: A Learning World A Learning World Sample Writing Prompts: What does the phrase, A Learning World, mean to you? How do you learn from the world around you? Where do you think you learn the most? Explain. What do you think is the best way to learn? What would help you to be a better learner? What is your responsibility to the world as a learner? If there were one thing you could learn about more than anyone else, what would it be? How have computers, the Internet, and technology influenced your learning?

Workshop Circles: 

Workshop Circles Group Brainstorm How would you create a learning circle project to go with the lessons that participants mentioned in your circle? What would be done on the network classrooms? What would be done in the sponsoring classroom 15 minutes Link to the Teacher’s Guide

Learning CirclesPublishing Projects - Print and Web: 

Learning Circles Publishing Projects - Print and Web Students... Work with information, analyzing, comparing, and editing to create a final presentation. Use technical tools to create a final presentation. Accept responsibility for the work, making sure that all tasks are completed within a group timeline. Link to Learning circle site was examples of students’ work

Learning CirclesClosing the Circle: 

Learning Circles Closing the Circle Overall Learning Objectives Locate and Evaluate Information Research andamp; Organize Ideas Creative Problem-Solving within a Team Understand Multiple Perspectives on Issues Develop Cooperative Learning Strategies Increase Self-Esteem and Confidence Accept Individual and Group Responsibility Use Technology Effectively

Learning CirclesEducational Benefits : 

Learning Circles Educational Benefits Enhances Student Learning Develops Reading/Writing Skills Enhances Teaching Curriculum Stimulates Teacher Creativity Expands Teaching and Learning Horizons Integrates Computer and Telecommunications Technology

Workshop Circles: 

Workshop Circles What was unclear? What more do you want to know about learning circles? We will respond to questions in the circles and collect a small number of questions for group discussion.

Learning CirclesSchedule for Learning Circles : 

Learning Circles Schedule for Learning Circles Session 1 (September to January): Begins mid-September and ends in January (16 weeks with a 2-week break in December). Learning Circle Placement forms are due in early September Session 2 (January to May): Begins late January and ends in May (15 weeks with a 1-week break in Spring). Learning Circle Placement forms are due early January

Conference Session: 

Conference Session 10 years of Learning Circles on iEARN Margaret Riel NEED TO LIST ALL OF THE SESSION WITH LOCATION. HOW ABOUT A HANDOUT WITH THE SESSIONS--BOB CAN YOU DO THIS?

Learning CirclesHow To Become a Participant : 

Learning Circles How To Become a Participant To join iEARN Learning Circles, you must first be a member of iEARN and complete an iEARN Learning Circle placement form two weeks before the beginning of the session. Once you complete the placement form you will be placed in a circle for the next session. http://www.iearn.org/circles/lc-placement.html

Learning CirclesThe Learning Circles Course : 

Learning Circles The Learning Circles Course In this online course, you go through all six phases of a Learning Circle and have assignments that correspond to the work you would normally do during a Learning Circle experience. Most of the work and assignments during this course and a Learning circle are student centered. Sign up in August/September or January/February

Learning CirclesThe Learning Circles Course : 

Learning Circles The Learning Circles Course As part of this course: You and your students will join a small group (a Circle), share cultural information Choose a collaborative civic education project in which to participate You will develop this topic for your students and make plans to research and share student work via the Internet You will also develop ways to teach your students to gather and organize information for publication in print and on the Internet http://www.iearn.org/professional/learningcircles.html Learning Circles

Barry S. Kramerbskramer48@hotmail.com Margaret Rielmriel@us.iearn.orgBob Hofmanhttp://www.iearn.org: 

Barry S. Kramer bskramer48@hotmail.com Margaret Riel mriel@us.iearn.org Bob Hofman http://www.iearn.org Learning Circles More Information - www.iearn.org/circles