Activity Structures: Problem Solving

based on the work of Dr. Judi Harris

Problem Solving projects may be the most interesting and challenging type of activities for our students. But they are, as yet, the least common type of telecollaborative activity.

1- Information Searches

Problem solving in the form of Information searches can be collaborative or competitive. Usually, students are provided with clues and must use electronic or paper reference sources to solve problems. The challenge can come from teachers or experts, but can also be created by classes as part of a project or activity.

Geogame
Can an Expert Stump You?
Insect Wacky Facts,
Quebec Rally,
Tracking Justin Time
Earth Day Challenge
*Save The Earth* Scavenger Hunt
Identify the Nut
Internet Math Hunt

2- Peer Feedback Activities:

Students write and receive feed back either on form (Paragraphing, organisation, wording, grammar, spelling, etc.) or content (arguments, veracity, logic, etc.). In it's simplest form, Electronic Process Writing can be used to debate a question with distant classes, an interesting perspective especially for small or isolated schools in a close-knit community.
Classroom Anatomy On-Line

Dessine-moi un monstre : Rétroaction non verbale
Les jeux des cours d'école

 

3- Parallel Problem Solving

Classes solve a similar problem separately then share the problem solving methods electronically. The problem can be "theoretical" as in a math or science problem, but it could also be a practical challenge such as designing something which solves a practical problem or answers certain specifications. .. like how to drop an egg from a one meter height without breaking it!. In a simpler form, the problems are solved collaboratively at separate locations, but results are not shared. Winners are simply announced as in Math-A-Thon and the Great Plexer Challenge
The Noon Observation Project
Math Magic
Great Tall Stuctures Challenge
Mouse Trap Powered Vehicle Challenge
Mystèr'Auteur
Défi trombone

4- Sequential Creations

Participants progressively create a common written text, a shared image or any collaboratively constructed product. This can be done "Synchronously", through a "chat" in which people meet at a common time to work together on the product, or "Asynchronously" through E-mail. In this case, the text or image is sent from one class to the next for additions. They would include such activities as adding stanzas to a poem , creating a song by each contributing a short MIDI sequence, or adding to the travel experiences of a stuffed animal, traveling from class to class

Benni the Bear
Writing Links or Writing Wizards
Flat Stanley Project (Note: this page might not work in Internet Explorer)

5- Telepresent Problem Solving

"Telepresent problem solving activities bring together participants from different geographic locations and time zones asynchronously or in real time to virtually participate in a computer-mediated meeting, use remotely located robotic tools, or simultaneously engage, without direct electronic contact, in similar activities at different project sites."
Voices of Youth: the Learning Place (UNICEF)
The Telegarden

6- Simulations

Simulations are often large scale in-depth activities that require time and planning. They can combine role playing, collaborative team work and many other aspects.
Exploring the Environment
The Electronic United Nations

7- Social Action

Internet can be used to implement humanitarian and multicultural projects. These projects aim to forge an understanding of a situation but don't stop there. They focus upon real problems and what can be done about them.
Voices of Youth (UNICEF)

Earth Day Grocery bag Project
Save the beaches

More project examples for these categories can be found at
http://virtual-architecture.wm.edu/Telecollaboration/problemsolving.html
(Categories developed by Dr. Judi Harris: Virtual Architecture:Designing and Directing Curriculum-Based Telecomputing, Chapter 2).