Project description:

Water constitutes the major portion of the human body. Without water biological processes necessary to life would cease to function in a matter of days.

This CEL group will demonstrate the group collaborative process by addressing ONE of the four learning goals. The CEL group may choose which goal to address

Goals:

1. Learners will list and briefly explain the key functions of water in the body.
2. Learners will list and briefly explain typical sources of water intakes and losses.
3. Learners will demonstrate an understanding of how body water balance is maintained by the mechanisms of thirst, absorption/elimination, and hormonal regulation.
4. Learners will identify possible deficiency and toxicity symptoms related to water in the body.

Deadline:

Please plan to have your final product posted by 10p on Sunday Month Day, 2008.

Process:

In my class, each group member would be responsible to contribute at least two resources to fulfill each of the four goals. That is not necessary for this demonstration. I have provided a Resource List (see under the "Research" tab) for this CEL group to use. CEL group members may contribute other resources.

This wiki-space is like a tablet of blank yellow-lined pages. Use it to record your notes, outlines, research, drafts – anything that, in a group, you would use a tablet of paper to record.

This CEL group should, collaboratively, select ONE GOAL to address as a project.

This CEL group will likely work independently (async) to complete the project. However, one or more collaborative (sync) work sessions may be used to complete the project.

The project output should be gathered together on its own page(s). Kind of like the “final copy” of your work that your group would hand in or display on the bulletin board.

The project output will vary depending upon the goal selected. My expectations:

• “List and briefly explain” (re: goals 1 & 2) means exactly that. My vision of the finished work is like an annotated bibliography: the item plus 2-3 sentences of explanation plus citation. Your vision of the finished work may differ. The bottom line: demonstrate that you know what you are talking (writing) about.

• “Demonstrate an understanding” (re: goal 3) is more open-ended. The finished work should clearly communicate how water balance is maintained in the body. Graphs, flow-charts, pictures, annotated figures from someone else’s work, a ‘flash’ animation or short video, or a few paragraphs of explanation are all acceptable. Don’t neglect citations.

• “Identify” (re: goal 4) intends more than a statement like “thirst is a symptom of water deficiency.” Symptoms usually involve a cascade of events from minor to mortality. I anticipate some recitation of the cascade which would then be related to some objective evaluation of the effects. Your presentation might take a different form. Cite your work.

Above all, have some fun with this and don't be hesitant to be creative in your presentation.