Exchanging project work and developing the final product is the heart of a learning circle. There are multiple projects or parts of the task and each person is both leader on one project and developer on the others.

On the project that one person sponsors for the circle, there are leadership and organizational tasks that are important to track. Being the leader does not mean doing the project alone, it does mean organizing the circle members so each do their part to make this project a success. Effective contributions to all of the circle activities is core responsibility of good circle participation.

An effective way of monitoring circle progress is a weekly chart with the names of the participants and the names of the project. Each week each member checks the chart and marks any work they have done on any of the projects. While one might center their work on a few of the projects, over the weeks that follow, each circle member should make a concerted effort to offer their skills on each of the circle projects.

Activity 3.1.1 – Monitoring progress

Approximately 20-30 minutes

Example Collaboration Log

1. Some in the learning circle volunteer to setup a collaboration log in the wiki.
2. As you make contributions to the projects of others, update the collaboration log.

Learning Circles are created by the interactions of everyone in the team. Some Learning Circles are incredible experiences in group cooperation and teamwork. Everyone is ready and eager to work and each school team has the tools and time to contribute to all projects. In other Circles the participation levels are not well matched. Different patterns of access to technology are sometimes reflected in the volume and quality of materials exchanged. Understanding differences, offers of help and humorous reminders of deadlines are ways of helping others meet their deadlines. Insults, demands and angry pleas are not as likely to increase group productivity. Helping circle members to monitor their social skills as well as their work on projects can be a very valuable education.

Activity 3.1.2 – Request for collaboration

Total of 30 minutes throughout the project.

As you reach key stages of your project, identify specific types of input that you would like from the learning circle members. Remember that each member is responsible for their own project and will make contributions to four other projects. Their contribution to your project should therefore not make unreasonable demands of their time.

1. On your project page, near the top of the page, specify exactly what you would like collaborating members to do for you each week. Start with the first week. You can post the rest as you proceed and your needs become clearer.

Activity 3.1.3 – Collaborating

2 hours per week allocated as you see fit – approximately 6 hours in total.

1. If possible, identify a routine time every few days when you will assign time to making contributions to your learning circle projects.
2. Systematically access the project pages and read what is being requested of you in terms of collaboration. Make a contribution to the best of your ability.
3. Access the collaboration log and update the log in terms of your contributions to each project.

Source: onlinelearningcircles