In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, a strategy that aligns with the Social learning theories is “Cooperative Learning”. We have had the chance now to correlate a few different learning theories with strategies and this pair seems like the most obvious fit so far. The Social learning theory is based on the belief that people learn while working with others in a social setting. As cited by Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski (2007), “The instructional strategy of cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance learning. When students work in cooperative groups, they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others”. By definition, cooperative learning is working with others in a social setting for the purpose of learning which is exactly what the social learning theory says.
There are many ways to implement cooperative learning in the classroom and now with the use of the internet there are even more. “Technology can play a unique and vital role in cooperative learning by facilitating group collaboration, providing structure for group tasks, and allowing members of groups to communicate even if they are not face to face” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Some technology based cooperative learning ideas presented include, creating videos, webquests, keypals, web site creation, blogs and wikis. All of which require students to work together towards the same learning goal while helping each other and learning from each other throughout the process. At the same time, these strategies bring cooperative learning into the 21st century.
References
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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Hi Vicky,
ReplyDeleteYour final comment is so crucial, because, as you noted, preparing our students for the twenty-first century is an on-going process, as technology is continually growing and changing, bringing together every corner of the world. As Pitler, Hubbard, Kuhn, & Malenoski (2007) point out, the skills needed to keep up with these advancements center around social interaction, the heart of social learning theory. Just as I have found it necessary to reach out to resources and colleagues outside my building and/or district, so too will our learners, and this will sometimes prove difficult for them as it may go against their learning style and/or personality, making it even more critical that we have them engage in it to gain practice, raising their potential for success and thus their self-esteem (Orey, 2001).
Monica
References
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved on June 1,2009 from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
This was a wonderful summary of this week's resources. As you point out, it is important for students to learn to work cooperatively not only in the 21st century, the time frame they are familiar with, but because of the 21st century. The global world we live in demands the ability to collaborate with others in order to accomplish goals.
ReplyDeleteVicky,
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned, today’s society and technology offers both students and educators a chance to truly collaborate and cooperatively learn from each other. Through many of the resources we have explored in this course (i.e. wikis, blogs, voicethread, etc.), the opportunities for students to learn from each other are endless.
Vicki,
ReplyDeleteThe twenty-first century will offer us an explosion of information, and the information will belong to all of us. We will, also, have to work together over great distances. The technology you mention in your post is essential for our students to be productive in the future, in a collaborative, global workplace. I enjoyed reading your post.