Overview: GroupITS 1, 2, 3

Kim C. Huett

Instructor

MEDT 3401: Technology Integration in the CurriculumOverview: GroupITs 1, 2, 31Table of Contents30-second ExplanationOver-arching Goals of ProjectUbD and What is a unit plan?The Plan you SelectGroup Composition and EtiquetteDiscomfort Working in Groups OnlineTechnology Integration in Unit PlanTimeframes and Late SubmissionProject Feedback and GradingNavigating the Project1. 30-second ExplanationPlaced in groupsWorking from class wikiGroup selects an existing unit planTranslate plan into UbD formatRevise and improve the planAnalytical activities throughoutShort readings

Through the 3 GroupITs assignments (GroupIT 1, GroupIT 2, and GroupIT 3), you and your assigned group members will locate an existing unit plan. You will translate the unit plan into the UbD format, and then revise and improve it. The unit plan you create should be tailored to Georgia Performance Standards. Throughout the process, there will be several short readings that guide you as well as an opportunity to reflect on the appropriate integration of technology into the unit. Your GroupITs work will take place from your group's assigned Main Page on the K12 Techsters wiki (this wiki). To access the group Main Pages, you can go to the homepage of this wiki. When submitting your group work artifact to your own student wiki, it is the group Main Page that you will submit. More instructions on that are coming below. For now, I am just giving you an overview.32. Over-arching Goals of Projectlocate an appropriate interdisciplinary unit plan for revisioncritically analyze the selected unit for strengths and weaknessestranslate the unit into the UbD framework (without improving it, at first)revise and improve the unit in the UbD frameworkdiscuss potential for technology integrationcollaborate with colleagues

3a. UbD and What is a unit plan?UbD: Glossary, TemplateShort readingsRevision as point of entry into ID ProcessWhat is a unit? (4 hours+) . Next slide

3b. What is a unit?Short for a "unit of study." Units represent a coherent chunk of work in courses or strands, across days or weeks. An example is a unit on natural habitats and adaptation that falls under the yearlong strand of living things (the course), under 3rd grade science (the subject), and under science (the program).

Though no hard and fast criteria signify what a unit is, educators generally think of a unit as a body of subject matter that is somewhere in length between a lesson and an entire course of study; that focuses on a major topic (e.g., Revolutionary War) or process (e.g., research process); and that lasts between a few days and a few weeks. (p. 353) 4. The Plan You SelectMust be available onlineCannot be a plan you have created in past classesCannot be in UbD format alreadyThe Plan You SelectYou may not use a plan already in the UbD format. It must be published on an online website and be in some other format.75. Group Composition & EtiquetteCompositionGroups formed to have between 3 and 4 members (with a couple of exceptions)Groups formed based on complementary content areas

Etiquettebe responsive to your groupmatesbe timely in your contributionstake the initiative in this online environmenttry not to get offended when a groupmate posts or edits your work (this is hard to do, but it needs to be done)

Group Participation and Origin of Plans to be RevisedWith the idea that unit planning can be beneficial as a collaborative effort, you and your groups are going to collaborate on selecting an online unit plan to improve and adapt for your audience. All group members are expected to contribute to the improvement of the plan. Follow these guidelines in working with your groupmates:be responsive to your groupmatesbe timely in your contributionstake the initiative in this online environmenttry not to get offended when a groupmate posts or edits your work (this is hard to do, but it needs to be done)

86. Discomfort Working in Groups OnlineOnline group work not easyThis project is 62% individual1 group collaboration/decision-point in each GroupIT (1, 2, and 3)Use the collaboration tools you have at your fingertips: your Main Pages discussion board, CourseDen mail, email, cell phonesHard but worth itWhat I am asking you to do throughout this GroupITs project is not always easy. The easiest type of work is individual. You don't have to rely on others' input to make your contribution. I try to make as much of the group work individual as possible (in fact, 62.2% of the points for this project are based on individual efforts).

However, in each GroupIT, there is at least one decision point that requires group collaboration. In the first GroupIT, you have to select a plan to revise. In the second GroupIT, you have to tranlsate the plan into the UbD Framework, and so on. To alleviate the discomfort that comes with these group efforts, communication is key. You can use any of the following tools to facilitate communication: 1) the discussion board attached to your group's Main Page, 2) CourseDen mail, 3) outside email (you'll have to exchange these), 4) texting via cellphone, etc. You guys will need to take the initiative in this. When complex actions have to take place--as with the translation of the plan and the final revision of your plan--it might be useful to decide on roles or order of turn-taking. Maybe one of you goes first with "taking a stab" at whatever needs to be done, and the rest of you can follow up in the rear, making edits and tweaks. I am in an online doctoral program, and I know a lot of what you will go through. I understand the frustration of working in groups online. But I also understand its benefits. We have a lot to learn from one another, and it's not just more experienced folks enlightening less experienced folks. We all bring perspectives that, together, strengthen the group. I hope that you and your group are able to work through the uncomfortable moments productively.

97. Technology Integration in Unit PlanWhy requiring technology integration is tricky and/or fallaciousTechnology to support goals/objectivesShow thoughtful inclusion of technologyUse of Technology in PlanHere's the tricky part about teaching technology integration. The first rule of technology integration is that it should support the instruction. You should probably never begin the design process with the statement "I am going to create a technology-integrated unit plan." You look first at the goals you're trying to achieve, and then somewhere in the design process, you begin considering the types of tools (technological or otherwise) that will suppor these goals. Therefore, if I were to tell you "you must use technology in your plan," I would be giving you the wrong impression about technology integration. The decision to integrate technology comes up after you determine what should be taught. You will have to determine the appropriate use of technology, and I urge you to push yourselves to try and think of a good way to use technology. However, it's possible that a plan merits no use of technology. When you submit GroupIT 3, you will speak to the issue of technology use in your plan. This is where I want to see evidence that you and your groupmates have thought it through and are able to justify the use or non-use of technology. That means the final revised unit plan you submit may or may not use technology. You just need to be able to speak to it, whichever way it goes.108. Timeframes and Late SubmissionAttention to timeframe is crucial.No late work.If you are a procrastinator, make this project the priority in the class. 9. Project Feedback & GradingHuett Ongoing Feedback Link (Huettwhole group)Dropbox feedback (numerical in nature)10. Navigating the Project/Class WikiTellingEach group has a Main Page. You will link to your Main Page on the Artifacts Section of Your Wiki.Each Main Page has an Empty UbD Template onto Which your Will 1)Translate Your Chosen Unit Plan and 2) Revise/Improve Your Chosen Unit PlanLinks to other pages, Disc. Board, and Huett Ongoing FeedbackProject Instructions PageShowingKeep Watching!