a round plane figure whose boundary (the circumference) consists of points equidistant from a fixed point (the centre).
"draw a circle with a compass"
2.
a group of people with a shared profession, interests, or acquaintances.
"she did not normally move in such exalted circles"
synonyms: group, set, ring, company, body, coterie, clique; More
verb
1.
move all the way around (someone or something), especially more than once.
"they were circling Athens airport"
synonyms: wheel, move round, move round in circles, revolve, rotate, whirl, spiral, gyrate More
2. Computers Networks:
Authentic Audiences for
Students
A number of research studies show
same effect:
Writing in the context of meaningful
projects leads to skill development that
is higher than is achieved with routine
drill and practice methods.
3. Learning Circles:
Cross-Classroom Collaboration
To Create a Circle Publication
Group InvestigationsGroup Investigations withinwithin
Classrooms.Classrooms.
Group InvestigationsGroup Investigations acrossacross
Classrooms.Classrooms.
One of the best ways to learn
something is to agree to teach
it to someone else!
One of the best ways to learn
something is to agree to teach
it to someone else!
4. What is involved in MeaningfulWhat is involved in Meaningful
Writing Projects?Writing Projects?
Connecting learning to people,Connecting learning to people,
places and activitiesplaces and activities
Understanding the values andUnderstanding the values and
perspectives of different groupsperspectives of different groups
Communicating ideas andCommunicating ideas and
attitudes through writing usingattitudes through writing using
language appropriatelylanguage appropriately
Developing identityDeveloping identity
5. Learning Circle ModelLearning Circle Model
Emphasis on WritingEmphasis on Writing
across the Curriculumacross the Curriculum
Focus on Multi-Focus on Multi-
Disciplinary ThemesDisciplinary Themes
Support for CollaborativeSupport for Collaborative
LearningLearning
6. Learning CircleLearning Circle
ModelModelLearning CircleLearning Circle
PartnersPartners
(A Group of 6-10(A Group of 6-10
Classes)Classes)
Grade level compatibility
Geographic Diversity
Common Timeline
Task Coordination
Individual Creativity
Responsibility to the
Group
8. OverviewOverview
The Learning Circle Teacher Guide provides aThe Learning Circle Teacher Guide provides a
structural approach to promoting cross-structural approach to promoting cross-
classroom collaboration withclassroom collaboration with
telecommunications. The first chapter providestelecommunications. The first chapter provides
an overview. If you want to understand thisan overview. If you want to understand this
model of online teaching and learning, it is amodel of online teaching and learning, it is a
good place to begin.good place to begin.
Learning Circles - An IntroductionLearning Circles - An Introduction
Phases of Learning Circle Interaction from 1-6Phases of Learning Circle Interaction from 1-6
11. Classroom Survey (online)
1. About the Students
2. About the School
3. About the Community
Welcome Packs (postal mail)
Send whatever fits in a large envelope (pictures,
brochures, drawings, symbols, etc.) that will
tell others
1. Who you are
2. What you look like
3. What you like to do
4. Where you live
Phase 2:Phase 2:
"Team Formation""Team Formation"
ActivitiesActivities
12. Phase 2: "TeamPhase 2: "Team
Formation" ObjectivesFormation" Objectives
Students:
Think critically about self; define
themselves for others.
Learn from others what things they
value.
Develop descriptive skills
Learn to work with people from diverse
backgrounds.
13. Phase 3: Planning CirclePhase 3: Planning Circle
ProjectsProjects
Phase 3: Planning CirclePhase 3: Planning Circle
ProjectsProjects
14. Phase 3: Planning CirclePhase 3: Planning Circle
Projects:Projects:
Setting Goals & CommitmentSetting Goals & Commitment
Responsibility & CommitmentResponsibility & Commitment
Each Class as a team organizes
or "sponsors" a project for the
group.
Every class is responsible to
send at least one response to
the projects in their Learning
Circle.
15. Places and
Perspectives
Elementary
Comparing Places
Historical City Tour
Local History
Timeline
World War II Surveys
Weather
Ecosystems
1850 Simulation
Mind
Works
Middle School
Circle Stories
Invention
Convention
Place Poetry
Cultural Stories
Predictions 2020
Environmental
Projects
Teen Tales
Global
Issues
High School
New World Order
Economic Issues
Ozone and the
Environment
Solar Power
A.I.D.S.
Oil Spills
16. Students...
Develop interpersonal skills as
students work together to develop
project idea.
Learn to plan ahead as they
consider what type of material to
request for their partners.
Develop written communication skills
as they describe their project to the
Circle.
18. Phase 4:Phase 4: Exchanging Student WorkExchanging Student Work
ImplementationImplementation
Students working in groups send
work on all of the Learning Circle
Projects.
Student receive work from other
students and store this information
for later use.
Each class team monitors the work
received on their sponsored project
and encourages their partners to
complete work on schedule.
Team WorkTeam Work
19. Exchange of Student Work on Projects
Picture by Heather Davis, John Wayland Elementary School
20. Phase 4: ImplementationPhase 4: Implementation
Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives
Students...
Research topics from other classes.
Work with community resources.
Learn to monitor goals on schedule.
Develop strategies to encourage others
to meet deadlines.
Store & retrieve information with
technology
22. Phase 5: Organizing the CirclePhase 5: Organizing the Circle
Publication HPublication Highigh
PerformancePerformance
Students reflect on their project
and make decisions about how to
present their collectively.
Students evaluate, edit and format
the information that they select to
create a chapter, section or report
for the Circle Publication.
Students become PublishersStudents become Publishers
24. Phase 5: Organizing thePhase 5: Organizing the
Circle PublicationCircle Publication
Student ObjectivesStudent Objectives
Students Learn to:Students Learn to:
Work with information, analyzing,
comparing, and editing to create a
final presentation.
Use technical tools to create a final
presentation.
Accept responsibility for the work,
making sure that all tasks are
completed within a group timeline.
26. Phase 6: Closing thePhase 6: Closing the
Circle Reflection andCircle Reflection and
RenewalRenewalGood-bye
It isn't easy to say Good-Bye
To all the fun things we did
And all the new friends we made.
We fly like birds in our minds
And see you afar
Even though mountains and states and countries divide
us.
If you try,
If you really try,
We can all be one in our hearts,
In our minds
And in our body.
4th grade students from Sanders Elementary, Arizona to their
27. Locate and Evaluate Information
Research & Organize Ideas
Creative Problem-Solving within a Team
Understand Multiple Perspectives on
Issues
Develop Cooperative Learning
Strategies
Increase Self-Esteem and Confidence
Accept Individual and Group
Responsibility
Circle ClosingCircle Closing
Overall Learning ObjectivesOverall Learning Objectives
29. Dr. Margaret Riel
SRI International &
Pepperdine University
margaret.riel@sri.com
760 943-1314
Links to more InformationLinks to more Information
On Learning CirclesOn Learning Circles
www.iearn.org/circleswww.iearn.org/circles
