Age: 8,9
Project Year: 2012-13

A variety of topics were studied

Sept- October Theme: Getting to know DB
Aims: Locate DB Moodle site and log in. Understand the safe use of technology Introduce themselves and share meaningful information
Activities: Introduce DB to the class. Break class into 4 groups. Send consent forms to parents. Introduce the Moodle forums. Send messages. Locate 2 counties on the map.

November- December Theme; Getting to know you.
Aims: Use a digital camera Upload photographs, Accepting difference, communicate effectively through videoconferencing, confidence building, Prep talking/listening Creation of e-card
Activities: Complete personal profiles in Moodle. Take photos of one another and upload top personal profile. Post messages to Moodle forum re family/local news. Get to know each other through videoconferencing. Exchange e-cards

January- February Theme: Narrative Writing.
Aims: Use conventions of narrative writing. Title- setting- characters- plot Learn how to draft-redraft. Learn how to use MS word. Learn how to upload a file to wiki.
Activities: Modelling ghost story. Group prepares plan for ghost story. Send plan to partner school and vice versa. Write story based on the plan and upload to wiki.

March- April
Aims: Use conventions of descriptive writing. Create and edit wikis. Upload description and photo of drawing. Follow description to complete new monster picture.
Activities: Pupils paint a picture of their monster. Teacher led discussion about descriptive writing and importance of providing a good description. Write description to match their picture and upload to wiki. Videoconferencing to clarify and ask questions about the monster pictures

May- June Theme: Titanic
Aims: Learn to use database. Research info to answer questions. Compile answers.
Activities: Accessing Titanic database. Compile series of questions on the Titanic. Submit questions to partner group. Research answers. Return answers to partner school.

Collaboration: Group discussions. Clarifying using videoconferencing. Using the wikis. Planning in groups. Collaboration achieved through the topics and activities chosen

Face-to-Face meeting

Venue: Tayto Park, June 18th
We chose Tayto Park because it was about half way for both of us to travel. Both schools mixed when arriving at the park and went on the adventure games together. The groups were then split into DB group one and two and went on the tour of the factory and went to the playground together. Same was done with DB groups 3 and 4. The children were encouraged to talk to the other group and make friends.

Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing was used once a month to exchange news, clarify some of the work being done, ask questions for the other group to research.
Benefits: Encouraged and practised good listening and speaking skills. To gain confidence in speaking to others. Clarifying work. Planning with the other teacher. Teacher got an opportunity to model good speaking and listening skills.