their creations, and compare the similarities and differences to see if they match. Students discover the quality of their writing by how well the creations match. Projects of this format have been hugely popular in CAPspace, TWICE’s videoconference collaboration portal found at http://projects. twice.cc/. In addition, this year TWICE is running two projects with this format: Snowman Swap in December, and Flower Match in the spring. The project is open to any TWICE members. For more information, visit www.twice.cc/.


Century Skill: Problem Solving The Partnership for 21st


21st Century Skills defines the Problem Solving skill as:


• Solve different kinds of non-familiar problems in both conventional and innovative ways


•


Identify and ask significant questions that clarify various points of view and lead to better solutions


Previously featured in a MACUL journal article is the videoconference format MysteryQuest. In this format, four to six classes connect together and present clues about a country or state and city. During the videoconference, students race to solve the mystery and discover what locations were presented by the other classes. Berrien RESA runs several versions of this format and they are open to all schools:


MysteryQuest World Geography (6th and 7th grade in February)


MysteryQuest USA (4th and 5th grade in April and May)


HistoryQuest8 (for 8th grade U.S. history in November and April)


HistoryQuest5 (for 5th grade U.S. history in April and May)


Learn more at www. berrienresa.org/ technology/vc/


collaborationsprojects/


In addition, TWICE runs a Where in Michigan for 3rd


grade


that focuses on Michigan geography. Find out more at


www.twice.cc/ WhereInMI/.


Riddles and math problems also make great videoconference connections


12 | Conference 2011 |


with partner classes. Several Berrien and Cass county schools have participated in Animal Riddles or Math Problem Solving collaborations where each class presents problems for the other class to solve.


Finally, students can make more efficient use of the time in a videoconference if they have prepared quality questions. The ASK process, designed by Dr. Raymond Kettel at the University of Michigan Dearborn, takes students through a careful literature study to prepare quality questions for an author or specialist related to the book. You can read more online at http://askprocess.wikispaces.com/ or participate in the many author videoconferences offered by TWICE, mostly featuring Michigan authors: www.twice.cc/ASK/. This process is an excellent way to prepare students to ask questions of any guest speaker or partner class, whether connecting via videoconference or talking in person.


For More Information


Are you interested in using videoconferencing to meet your 21st


Century Learning goals?


With a little planning and effort, you can bring the world to your classroom. Here are some ways to get started:


• Take one of Berrien RESA’s online courses on videoconferencing. You can get SB-CEUs or graduate credit! Learn more here: www.berrienresa. org/technology/vc/professionaldevelopment/


• Follow my blog: Videoconferencing Out on a Lim to learn what our schools are doing with videoconferencing: http://vcoutonalim.org/


• Use the Videoconference Project Templates booklet: https://collaborativevcs.


pbworks.com/f/ProjectsBooklet.pdf


• Get an account in CAPspace to network and


participate in many exciting videoconference opportunities: http://projects.twice.cc/


Reference:


Cifuentes, L., & Murphy, K. L. (2000). Promoting multicultural understanding and positive self-concept through a distance learning community: cultural connections. Educational Technology Research and Development, 48(1), 69-83.


Janine Lim, PhD, serves schools in the tri-county area of southwest Michigan as Instructional


Technology Consultant at Berrien RESA. Follow her on twitter at outonalim or her blog at VCoutonalim.org.


MACULJOURNAL


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