During the past 8 weeks, we were challenged to look on how we can use technology for student collaboration.  The best part of a challenge of this nature is being "forced" to take a critical look at what we do inside our respective classroom.  As stated in previous posts, I am a PE teacher, and the opportunities to use collaborative technology isn't something that is an easy fit.  Luckily, I also teach a Sports Medicine class and between the two, I was able to find natural places to use collaborative technology.  For any teacher, it starts with the difficult task of changing what they have done, what has been routine.

Classes like this then allows teachers the ability, the confidence, and the environment to make that switch.  Hopefully, a giant boulder doesn't come crashing down, but if it does, we have the ability to adjust. 
During these 8 weeks, I was able to do a couple changes to my curriculum (PE and Sports Medicine) that, I feel, increased collaboration, increased technology, and allowed students in a non-traditional way.
Artifact #1: 
Sports medicine is full of a lot of vocabulary, medical terminology.  Instead of having students use traditional methods (note taking) for vocab, I created a collaborative, interactive assignment.  Students were placed into a group of 4-5 per group and then given 4-5 vocab terms.  They had to work together and create a video and then share that with all the groups.  Their video had to define the word and use it in the correct context and had to be more than someone standing up talking.  Basically, make it more fun than I can. They could use whatever sources they want and create any digital project.  Most of them created short videos and then used WeVideo to edit.

Artifact #2: 
Teaching freshman boys is always an experience.  Getting them to talk (about what I want them to), well, that's an adventure.  I used FlipGrid to start them having conversations and being able to listen to what others have to say.  While it was the free version of Flipgrid, it worked great.  I would post a question and then they would have to go answer it.  We are 1:1 at my school, so they would bring their chrome books into the weight room.  We would start our workout and take a quick 10 min pause to answer the flipgrid, and then start working out again. 

All in all, don't be afraid to make mistakes, don't be afraid to make a switch.  The biggest suggestion, make sure it's a simple change and it "fits" your curriculum.  Don't try to make your curriculum fit technology.  Just have to find the right balance.