As I mentioned in a previous blog posting, approximately once per month I am honored to host an online webinar related to teaching and learning through the effective use of technology. The most recent presentation featured Jeremy Roschelle and John Brecht from SRI International, speaking about “GroupScribbles: A tool for highly interactive Tablet PC classrooms”.

Thanks to the University of Wisconsin, you can view this, and previous presentations, by visiting http://www.uwex.edu/ics/stream/uwc-rock/hp/.

I found the presentation to be quite interesting, as Jeremy explains the Learning Sciences foundational thinking that led to the design of the classroom interaction software. Using a “sticky note” metaphor, students collaborate together by dragging their sticky notes from a “private space” onto the public “classroom whiteboard” that all the participants can edit.

A host of activities are possible, from brainstorming, organizing research or writing, discussion ways to solve math problems, and so forth. It actually reminded me of a “K-J” group process I experienced, where participants organize their ideas silently, but collaboratively. Of course in a face-to-face classroom, using GroupScribbles would be a combination of “silent reflection” and verbal dialog – with GroupScribbles adding a new dimension to discussions and formative assessment.

The software is “beta”, developed with NSF funding, and is available free of charge at http://groupscribbles.sri.com/.

I highly recommend that you check it out. If you use it, come back and post a comment to let us know what you think!

Jim Vanides, M.Ed.
Program Manager - Worldwide Higher Education Philanthropy
Hewlett-Packard

For information about the HP Technology for Teaching philanthropy initiative in higher education, visit www.hp.com/go/hpteach-hied