Strategies

The items listed on my chart involve 3 ways I believe collaboration occurs personally and educationally within the life of the learner.
Advantages to them are;
Increased communication among members of a network.
Socially based which is key in collaboration because humans are social by nature.
Helps the learner feel a sense support throught the community.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/47964783/Main_Idea_and_Details_Chart

Storyboard Project- Collaboration

Here is my updated storyboard....
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/47211711/Storyboard-Project

Assessing Collaboration

Assessment of collaboration can be a challenge. Siemens (2010) suggests making changes to assessment models from an individual to a group process as well as changes to participatory pedagogy. Students can be assessed on contributions and feedback from classmates. A learning management system may also be in place to monitor students activities. Participation in a learning community is essential to the success of the group.
Palloff and Pratt (2007) suggest the feedback and assessments of the learners to be done with consideration of levels/skills of the learner. Personally, I feel that this would be a hard thing to interpret on part of the instructor.
If a student has a clear understanding of an online environment as well as clear expectations, the choice not to participate would result in a lower assessment grade. The instructor is the one who needs to address the situation with the student and grade accordingly. Assessment would be altered to include only output of what the student produces and nothing more or less.

http://blogs.asaecenter.org/acronym/2010/06/the_hard_work_of_collaborative.html

Palloff, R M. & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating Online; Learning Together in Community. San Francisco: Jossey- Bass.

Siemens, G. (2010). Assessment of Collaborative Learning. Retrieved from Laurete Education DVD.
Siemens, G. (2010). Learning Communities. Retrieved from Laurete Education DVD.