Flat Classroom Project

I think that flattening your classroom, or having a "flat" classroom means having a student teacher interaction in the learning and educational environment, or being on the same page with your teacher, and vise-versa. All of the projects are student centered, and is an easy way to link classrooms for the same purposes and research.

Elements for the students
1) understanding of technology and the use of technology
2)opportunity to be grouped with other partners, to share opinions, explain trends, and create videos.
3)access to educational websites such as blogger, wiki, posting photos and videos, etc
4)being assessed on a criteria based rubric
5)real life deadlines, responsibility, accountability, and interdependence
6)having completed videos viewed by global judges
7)participating in a student summit, completing the project and showcasing their learning.

Time Line
1)Application Deadline: December 1 
2)Online Teacher Information meeting before January 15 
3)Classroom and student handshake January 15-31 
4)Wiki editing and collaboration: February 
5)Non-participating classrooms removed from participating: February 15 
6)Video pitches and creation: March 
7)Student Summits and video judging: April 1-15 
8)Awards ceremony: After April 15 as determined by the project organizer


The first project that I watched was called Mobiles In Our Life and was mainly about the use of cell phones in our everyday life. I think the video was really good. One main purpose was for communication which is very important. The other main purpose addressed was for education. I think that it is unfair that they get to use their cell phones at school, but hopefully that will be us soon too. Also using cell phones for medicine is important because it allows quick and easy access to help when you are sick and doctors can communicate easier between other doctors. In urgent cases is a great time to have a cell phone because you can easily call for help. Overall, I think the video was very good, and I think they did a good job at explaining all the uses of cell phones and how they apply to our lives.


The second video I watched was called Connecting the World Online News Report and it is about the uses of the Internet and connecting it to our world. Not only social networks, but there are also many other networks out there for many purposes. The Internet is not all about facebook and myspace, and twitter. There are many websites that are out there to connect the world online. The Internet is mostly social networking, and what people many not know that there are many other websites besides facebook and myspace that can help social connect you and your friends from anywhere in the world. The video was helpful because it showed a different viewpoint of the Internet instead of my main website, facebook.


The third video I watched was called The World Wide Web. It shows what life would be like without the Web and how we use the Web for many purposes everyday. You can use different websites for reasearch, entertainment, and communication. You can connect with anyone throughout the world through the web, no matter where you are at. Emailing and research are made easier through the web, You do not have to go to the library or send your mail through the post office, now you can use google and email. The video was helpful to show the many uses of connecting people through the web.