Supporting Learning Circles
While it is possible for teachers to set up their own
Learning Circle, it is much more cost-effective and productive to
have this type of support provided by a central group. While teachers
may feel that setting up their own Learning Circle is free, it takes
a great deal of time and energy by one or more individual teachers.
Teacher time is one of our most valuable and limited educational resource.
By working within a larger educational community, a more supportive
environment can be created which leads to a higher rate of success
in Learning Circle Interaction.
The support for Learning Circles described in this section
is currently provided by iEARN
but could be provided by many different groups around specfic project
themes.
Matching Schools into Learning Circles
Matching students and teachers into Learning
Circles is one of the important services that is provided by to teachers
and students who participate in Learning Circles. Locating partners
through the Internet is a time-consuming process and takes teachers
away from their work with students. Teachers as well as students report
that the most exciting part of Learning Circles is finding out who
their partners will be. When teachers are provided this service, they
do not have to find the teachers, set up the arrangements or set common
time lines.
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to: Introduction--Support for Learning Circles
Technical Support for Learning Circles
The technology plays an essential role
in facilitating the exchanges in Learning Circles, but it is not the
focus of the activity. Students will learn about the technology as
they use it to work on their Learning Circle projects. Detailed instructions
for using the communications software and a source of technical support
are important to the success of Learning Circles.
iEARN provides technical connections and support
for teachers in Learning Circles through iEARN. It is important
to have some form or technical support for teachers involved in
Learning Circles.
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to: Introduction--Support for Learning Circles
Learning Circle Facilitators
For many of the teachers in a Learning Circle,
this will be their first experience in tele-collaboration. It helps
to have someone with Learning Circle experience in the group. Working
within a larger community makes it possible to provide this level
of support. iEARN identifies one teacher in each Circle who has volunteered
to share his or her expertise in tele-collaboration by acting as the
Learning Circle "Facilitator." The Facilitators provide a center to
the Circle, helping the group work as a team to support one another.
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to: Introduction--Support for Learning Circles
Learning Circle Mentors
If issues arise in the Circle that could benefit
from additional resources, the Circle Facilitators are in close communication
with other Circle Facilitators and with a "Mentor Coordinator," a
designated leader among a group of Circle Facilitators. In this way
the expertise of teachers reaches across Circles to provide a very
supportive learning environment.
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to: Introduction--Support for Learning Circles
Circle News
Teachers are deeply involved in teaching
it is often difficult for them to refer back to a print or online
curriculum guide. To help teachers stay on schedule, it is helpful
if the supporting community arranges to have electronic "Circle
News" message sent to each participant at the beginning of each
of the phases described in this guide. These messages share what is
taking place in the different Learning Circles so that teachers can
share in the excitement of other groups on the Learning Network.
The "Circle News" messages facilitate the start of
the Circle interaction, introduce participants, and encourage the
exchange of messages. They also provide direction and advice for
each of the Learning Circle phases. These messages should be sent
to all participants in Learning Circles to help keep everyone working
on schedule.
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to: Introduction--Support for Learning Circles
Network Newsletter
A Network Newsletter is one way to share
what teachers and students are doing across Circles. By sharing information
about new developments in the community, highlight the work of teachers
and students in the different Learning Circles, and guide Circle activities,
it provides an important link among all members of the community.
Establishing a Common Time line and
Schedule
It is important for schools to have a shared
schedule before they begin their work. iEARN
posts the timeline
for each session several weeks before each session begins.
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to: Introduction--Support for Learning Circles

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