More than just Online Collaboration
Nov 22nd, 2006 by Mr. Higgins
At the k12 online conference, in their presentation titled “Toward a System of Online Curriculum-Sharing”, Rob Lucas and Kevin Driscoll discuss and show many examples of websites that allow teachers to share lesson plans and curriculum. As a young teacher, I have explored these website on my own and these resources are important to both me and the educational industry. However, it is much more important to me to have live collaboration, meaning my colleagues. I do find some time during my lunch or my conference period to talk to others about my teaching and curriculum, but so many schools are going away from giving much time at all, especially in high schools.
Here are my thoughts about what even 30 extra minutes could mean with my colleagues…
1. A stronger sense of self within the identity of the school. I would be able to feel out where I stand as far as discipline, curriculum, and presentation.
2.ALL students would more likely have a strong grasp of each department and their policies. For instance, maybe if the mathematics department used the same homework policy in each class, it would benefit the entire school because all students would know what to expect
3. I would get to know my colleagues even more, including their positives and negatives. I would be able to bounce ideas off all of them to get feedback from people with different opinions.

This blog is going to bat for Web 2.0. My name is Chris Higgins and I am a high school mathematics and computer science teacher at Norwalk High School in Ohio. I am a lifetime learner, Web 2.0 advocate, blogger, tennis coach, and a huge sports fan. Go Browns! Go Cavs! Go Tribe!
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