2.A.1+Assessment+-+Performance+tasks

**Performance task**
Student sets up and carry out an iChat with a classmate. Student identifies a problem (scenario) at his or her school where iChat could be a solution and justifies why an iChat is an appropriate solution in a presentation (not to exceed 8 minutes). The justification should include the strengths and weaknesses of iChat as a solution to the problem.

The scenario, justification and norms are presented to the whole group via an iChat, where the student also demonstrates the norms. Students are split into several groups. Some of the groups go to other rooms. They iChat with another group. Students take turns giving their presentations.

Following the presentations, students initiate another iChat with different group, where they reflect on their learning experience with the training. Each student will have an opportunity to present any learning insights gained from the training.

GRASPS

 * Goal:** The goal is to be able to select and use appropriate technologies for collaboration. The task is to initiate and carry out an iChat videoconference, and describe its strengths and weaknesses as a collaborative technology. The challenge is to overcome the various technical hurdles to execute the videoconference, and then reflect on videoconferencing as a collaboration technology (how does the medium affect the ultimate goal of successful collaboration? what biases does it enhance or suppress? what opportunities does it enable or disable? etc.)


 * Role:** The student is the videoconference initiator, technical support and impresario.


 * Audience:** The students' audience consists of middle school students who need to collaborate with peers.


 * Situation:** The middle schoolers are physically distant from their peers. The middle schoolers (and their peers) both have access to the necessary technology for iChatting. The training student (a technology teacher) has a similarly skilled peer working with students at the remote site.


 * Product, Performance, and Purpose:** Students (technology teachers) will initiate and execute an iChat. Attention must be paid to both the technical aspect and the social aspect (appropriate behavior etc on the part of the middle schoolers.


 * Standards and Criteria for Success:** The iChat is successfully initiated and carried out. (See the rubric for details.)