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Develop a Telecollaboration |
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Design Your
Project Getting started It doesn't really matter how you approach creating your project. You might have: a subject in mind, A successful collaborative project can begin from wherever you are. From your starting point, proceed to planning. Technology Resource Checklist Telecollaboration TeleCheck is a template for assessing your hardware and software capabilities. Save it as a text file and use it to catalog what you have and what you need to manage your telecollaboration. A Project Planner Telecollaboration Project Planner is a template of the elements of a successful collaborative project. Simply save it as a text file and use it to develop your project. Create your project elements in any order. When you finish the planner, you'll be ready for testing. Instructional Projects and Their Plans Telecollaborate! has demonstrated the major types of collaborative projects, complete with plans, calls for participation and outcomes. These projects involve exchanging: Exchanging Information When you decide what kinds of information you want to share, refer to our tips on exchanging files on the Internet. Be sure that you know how to send, receive and translate those files. There are so many kinds of file formats and software packages. You may end up with formats you never knew existed and which you are unable to use. Top Refining Your Project Tips for Leading a Successful Collaborative Project Plan | Recruit | Train | Manage | Wrap-up Starting an Internet project is like teaching a class. When you post a call for participants, you become responsible for the classes who join you. Even if the project becomes a major source of frustration, you're committed! Students are depending on you. Learning on the Net can be a positive experience for everyone involved with some advance preparation. If you're just starting your project, check here for helpful advice. Here's a collection of Reminders from experienced project leaders of some important considerations in managing collaborative classroom projects: Planning A simple file exchange can become gargantuan due to e-mail or other software surprises. Make a list of what works and what doesn't. When dealing with computer technology, it's safest to expect that something will go wrong during the project. So, do as much advance preparation as you can. It's amazing how many hardware and software variations are out there. How many can you find? Dates and deadlines Hard/software requirements Project goals and requirements Some people may drop out during the project or be provide all outcomes. By incorporating a few more classes than optimum, you ensure viability of your project. Offer to provide their names to someone interested in running a second group. The best way to learn about running a project is by doing it. Everyone is disappointed when participation is possible, especially after having been accepted in the project.Clearly outlined requirements and procedures will help. A test run will confirm the participant's capabilities. In busy lives, it's easy to forget a posting due every two weeks or at the end of the month. Encouragement and support mean so much to all of us. Sometimes motivation needs a boost when the going gets tough. You depend greatly on these people, so let them know how important they are and what a great job they're doing. Be sure to acknowledge extra efforts. Education on the Internet is new for many people. Maybe someone will be there for you when you need that hand. Remember, we're all pioneers out here on the Internet. Sometimes an instructor learns of technological limitations after joining. Maybe you can find an alternative or partial solution to let this participant continue. Put in overtime. Answer a wide variety of questions. Look for answers when you don't have them. Wrap-up: Regardless of complications or surprises, do what you promised in your call. Everyone is depending on you. It's nice to be appreciated. It takes so little time to acknowledge someone. Student thank-you's from classroom to classroom are a nice touch and a good practice to teach. Be sure everyone gets copies of any information you compile or deduce from the project. They worked hard to help you get it. Participants may want to know about your future projects, so make a mailing list. Most important of all, have
FUN! The world is now our classroom. Together
we can break the rules and forge a new classroom, hand-in-hand around
the globe! More helpful information on starting your project can
be found at: |
