CEP 812 Wicked Problem Project

The need that I identified for my 'Wicked Problem Project' is the need for my students to be able to cooperatively work in a small group to create a summary of the novel they read as they work in literature circles. My sixth graders are currently in working in groups of 3 or 4 students based on a novel that they have selected to read. They read independently, then meet as a group to discuss what they read, identify vocabulary,make predictions, create QAR questions, and then summarize the novel. When the students are creating QAR questions and summarizing the novel, they are using pencil and paper, bringing their own ideas, and then creating a summary as a group. Each student is copying their own summary that the group creates. This was starting to become a tedious part of the group meeting time. I wanted my students to be able to use a wiki for creating these questions and summaries.

The solution that I chose was to use a wiki technology such as PB Works and for my pedagogy I chose cooperative learning. The wiki enabled the students to have a place where they could collaborately revise, edit, and chat on-line while creating their QAR questions and group summaries. This solution incorporates Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK).

Technological Pedagogical knowledge, according to "Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Framework for Teacher Knowledge", by Punya Mishra and Matthew J. Koehler, can be defined as "...knowledge of the existence, components, and capabilities of various technologies as they are used in teaching and learning settings, and conversely, knowing how teaching might change as the result of using particular technologies". The technology that I have chosen, using a wiki, supports the teaching strategies and methods I have chosen for the TP knowledge. Students will be able to collaborate both on creating a group summary and questions while applying Reading Apprenticeship strategies.

Technological Content knowledge, according to Mishra and Koehler, is "...knowledge about the manner in which technology and content are reciprocally related". The classroom wiki will make the content in my problem more intellectually accessible. Specifically, students are creating their own summaries and questions using a wiki. They are using technology while cooperatively learning. They will be able to read what other literature circle members have written, as well as revising and editing.

Pedagogical Content knowledge, defined by the afore mentioned authors, is "...knowing what teaching approaches fit the content, and likewise, knowing how elements of the content can be arranged for better teaching". The pedagogical choices make the content in my problem more intellectually accessible. The students will experience the text of their novels at a higher level of comprehension through collaborating with peers to create summaries and using the Reading Apprenticeship and QAR strategies.Using the Reading Apprenticeship approach of QAR and collaboratively summarizing allows students more interaction with the text which increases their understanding.

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