Cross Classroom
Collaboration
through Learning Circles
Learning Circle
Teachers
&
Margaret
Riel
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.
Learning Circles:
Cross-Classroom Collaboration
To Create a Circle Publication


Group Investigations within
Classrooms.
Group Investigations across
Classrooms.
One of the best ways to learn
something is to agree to teach
it to someone else!
What is involved in Meaningful
Writing Projects?




Connecting learning to people,
places and activities
Understanding the values and
perspectives of different groups
Communicating ideas and attitudes
through writing using language
appropriately
Developing identity
Learning Circle Model

Emphasis on Writing
across the Curriculum

Focus on MultiDisciplinary Themes

Support for Collaborative
Learning
Learning Circle Model
Learning Circle
Partners
(A Group of 6-10 Classes)
Grade level compatibility
Geographic Diversity
Common Timeline
Task Coordination
Individual Creativity
Responsibility to the
Group
Phase 1: Getting Ready
Overview
The Learning Circle Teacher Guide provides a
structural approach to promoting crossclassroom collaboration with
telecommunications. The first chapter
provides an overview. If you want to
understand this model of online teaching
and learning, it is a good place to begin.
Learning Circles - An Introduction
Phases of Learning Circle Interaction from 1-6
Learning Circle
Closing Opening
the
the
Circle Circle
Planning
Circle
Projects
Organizing
Circle
Publication
Exchanging
Student
Work
Interaction
Phase 2: Opening the
Circle
Phase 2:
"Team Formation" Activities
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: "Team
Formation" 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.
Phase 3: Planning Circle
Projects
Phase 3: Planning Circle
Projects:
Setting Goals & Commitment
 Responsibility & 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.
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
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.
Phase 4:
Exchanging
Student Work
Phase 4: Exchanging Student Work
Implementation
Team Work



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.
Exchange of Student Work on Projects
Picture by Heather Davis, John Wayland Elementary School
Phase 4: Implementation
Learning 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
Phase 5: Publishing Projects
Phase 5: Organizing the Circle
Publication High Performance
Students become Publishers


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.
Places and Perspectives
Spring 1995
A Learning Circle Publication
Phase 5: Organizing the
Circle Publication
Student Objectives
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.
Phase 6: Closing
the Circle
Phase 6: Closing the Circle
Reflection and Renewal
Good-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
Learning Circle Partners
Circle Closing
Overall Learning Objectives

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

Use Technology Effectively
Cross-Classroom Collaboration
Connections to the learning
opportunities outside of the
classroom for students
World
Continual learning and
professional opportunities for
teachers in the
classroom
Links to more Information
On Learning Circles
www.iearn.org/circles
Dr. Margaret Riel
SRI International &
Pepperdine University
margaret.riel@sri.com
760 943-1314