Reading

A good facilitator defines the task, checks for understanding, then stays close and listens, and points students to the needed resources. A walkaround is a cooperative learning strategy. The key to the walkaround is knowing how to use this strategy to help students improve their projects. Walkarounds can be used to provide assessment information for both individuals and the group. This technique can be used both formally and informally. Informal walkarounds are used to provide immediate help, ideas, and feedback to each project group or team. When used formally the teacher carries a clipboard with a checklist. A sample checklist (developed by Gayle Britt and Linda Ullah) might look like this:

Group Name___________________________
Group Members________________________

	Okay	Not Yet	Suggestions
Student Engagement and Collaboration
All students have defined roles, are contributing to the entire project.
The project requires the skills and roles of all students in the group, and each group member is contributing his or her part.
The group has a process for resolving disagreements.
Content
A number of resources are being used to gather information about the subject.
The information has been checked for accuracy.
Students have analyzed, paraphrased, given credit for resources and quotes.
Students are keeping track of bibliographical information.
Technology Integration
Students are using the Internet and other electronic resources (CDs, videos) to gather accurate information.
Students are effectively using the Internet and other electronic resources to share information with their partners.
Students are elecronically creating appropriate products to share and promote their projects. (Multimedia presentations, desktop published materials, simulations, games, web pages, etc.)
Technology is being effectively used to enhance learning.