JIGSAW Project

In educational technology class, one of our assignments was to complete a JIGSAW project. The idea behind the assignment, was for several small groups to research varying topics, then come together in larger groups where small group members could educate the entire larger group about their researched material. In this way, the entire class could learn about several different topics while doing only a portion of the research themselves.

In the case of this JIGSAW, each group researched a different Web 2.0 tool, which could be used to aid with class instruction or teacher preparation. Another student and myself were responsible for learning about tumblr, a social networking site. We worked together, learning how to use tumblr, then presented our research to the larger groups. Members of the larger groups presented us with their research, on utilities such as Storybird, Symbaloo, Prezi, and Glogster. So, while I only participated in researching tumblr, I was able to learn about all five utilities.

My partner and I created both a wiki page about tumblr, and a sample tumblr page, both of which contained embedded files such as video, audio, and pictures. We were able to use these pages during our presentation using the SMART board. Click here to see our sample tumblr blog, or click the image to the right to enlarge the image of the wiki page we worked on!

*****************************************************

After completing the JIGSAW assignment, I am excited to begin using some of the programs that other students in my class researched. Although through my research and experience, I learned that tumblr is probably not a great fit for me, I have at the very least taken the time to figure that out. There are other utilities, such as Prezi and Glogster, that I believe will be very useful to me when I embark on my teaching career.

I can see myself using Prezi to create eye catching presentations, and go beyond the old standard PowerPoint in order to gain the attention of older students. I feel that Glogster, which is an interactive poster-making tool, could be excellent if integrated into a project for high-school age students, allowing them to use and practice applications of technology while creating something artistic that is relevant to literature or writing.

INTASC standards that apply to this project:

3. The teacher candidate works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.

4. The teacher candidate understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

National Education Technology Standards for teachers (NETS-T) that apply to this project:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Atudent Learning and Creativity: Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments.

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments: Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes identified in th NETS-S.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning: Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills and work procsses representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society.