This document outlines the concept of a "flat classroom" which connects students globally through collaboration using online tools. It defines a flat classroom as one that engages students with multiple online resources and audiences to create authentic collaborative learning. It discusses how students who do not participate in global collaboration may miss future opportunities. The document then describes the five phases of flattening a classroom which involves connecting students within and between classrooms, with experts, and in student-managed collaborations using tools like Edmodo, Skype and wikis. It provides examples of projects and steps teachers can take to implement this approach, including digital citizenship training and collaborative writing activities.

1. Flattening the
Classroom
Global Collaboration
http://todaysmeet.com/flatclassroom

2. Flat Classroom Poster Table, ISTE
2012

3. Increasingly, those who use technology in
ways that expand their global connections
are more likely to advance, while those
who do not will find themselves on the
sidelines. Horizon Report 2009

4. “Global competition for jobs
means that today’s students
must not only be well-educated,
problem solvers but they must
also be equipped to collaborate
globally.”
“Flattening means more than
just connecting students. It
advocates connecting authors,
experts, and people throughout
the world with common
interests. Students who miss
out on global collaboration
opportunities may just be
missing out on their future.”
Vicki Davis/Julie Lindsay

5. What is a Flat
Classroom?
A classroom that connects and engages
with multiple audiences, resources, and
tools to create authentic collaborative
learning outcomes. ~ Vicki Davis
Glocalization: “think global, act
local”. This means maintaining a
local identity in culture and lifestyle
while learning about lifestyles and
cultures. Thomas Friedman ~ The World is
Flat

6. The Five Phases of
Flattening a Classroom
1. INTRA-connected classroom
• First teach students to collaborate appropriately within
your classroom
• Use a backchannel to teach appropriate behavior
• Use Edmodo/Kidsblog to communicate within your
classroom and hold small group discussions.
2.INTER Connected classroom
• Collaborate with another classroom in your building
• Use Edmodo/Kidsblog that is closed
• Asynchronous communication sharing photos/videos on a
topic

7. 3. Many to One/One to Many communication
• Presenting to another class via Skype
• Interact with an expert
4.Many to Many with Teacher management
• Collaborative writing on a wiki
• Use wiki for instruction
• Edmodo groups with various schools
5. Many to Many communication with Student management

8. Traditional Flat Classroom
Classroom VS
Separate by Unified by
Location INTERNET
Separated by Time Unified by
Asynchronous
communication tools

9. The Flat Classroom Project
http://flatclassroomproject.ning.com/
http://www.flatclassroomproject.org/
http://www.flatclassroomproject.net/index.html

10. Step 1 - Digital Citizenship
Technology Bootcamp
1. Introduction to devices
2. Internet school policy
3. Netiquette/Cyberbullying lessons
4. Copyright issues/Creative Commons

11. Digital Footprints
Your First Impression
Source: http://edtechsteve.blogspot.com/

12. 5 Steps to Internet Safety
1) Stop
Stop what you are doing. Don't keep clicking.
2) Screenshot
Take a screenshot. Save a copy and print a copy.
3) Block
Anyone offensive should be blocked and removed as a friend if he or she
is on your friends list.
4) Tell
Tell your teacher or network administrator (or your parents if you are at
home) about the situation and give them a copy of the screenshot. When
you have a problem, do not stop speaking out until you find someone who
can help you.
5) Share
After talking with your parents and/or teacher, if the incident is appropriate
to discuss, share it with others to promote Internet safety.

14. Step 2 - The Handshake
1.Two weeks prior to project launch, teachers joined
students to Edmodo and wiki.
2. Students were assigned an introductory post
3. Student created a "handshake" to learn
appropriate behavior and netiquette on Edmodo

15. Step 3 - Collaborative Writing
1. Introduced/instructed students on the use of the
Digitween wiki
2. Students were assigned a part of the wiki
3. Students researched area before entering image
and text about section
Five Areas of Awareness
Technical Access and Awareness Social Awareness
Individual Awareness Cultural Awareness
Global Awareness

16. Step 4 - Meetups
1. Synchronous class meet-ups
2. Use Elluminate (virtual classroom) or Skype
3. Weekly staff meetings as well to discuss and plan

17. Sandy Wisneski –
wisneskis@ripon.k12.wi.us
Jen Erickson –
ericksonj@ripon.k12.wi.us
Catalyst Charter Middle School
http://www.ripon.k12.wi.us/schools/catalyst/
Catalyst Blog
http://catalystchannel.blogspot.com/
Stampcat2technified Blog
http://stampcat2technified.blogspot.com/