Cooperative learning is a learning strategy that “focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p. 139). This strategy supports the social learning theories. Social learning theories involve “actively engaging students in constructing artifacts and conversing with others” (Laureate Education, 2010). Social learning theories are a great idea for the classroom to motivate students. Students are social. They want to use technology and find out how the information they are learning can be used in real-world situations. Students might now enjoy the tedious math work but they might actually enjoy how the math is used in real-world applications. These theories incorporate methods to prepare students to “learn and produce cooperatively” as is needed in the workplace (Pitler et al., 2001, p. 139).
There are many social networking tools that are used frequently by many people. These tools keep people informed to the second. Social networking tools can be a great addition to the classroom. Parents want to be informed daily about what is going on in the classroom. Students want immediate feedback on assignments and immediate help. Facebook or Edomo are two social networking tools that can be used by teachers to help keep parents and students up to date on what is going on in the classroom. Edomo is a social networking tool made especially for schools. It can be accessed on school networks. This is a great tool to use. Students can post when they have questions about assignments and get immediate feedback from the teacher or another student. Parents and the community can view what is going on in the classroom. Facebook can be great for this purpose also. Facebook has a few downfalls, though. Most districts have blocked access to Facebook at school. Most students and parents can view Facebook on their cell phones. This enables them to be online even though they might not have Internet access at home. Either method will enable students to communicate with each other and practice their online communication skills. Skype is another great tool to use in education. This is another great tool that students can use to communicate with each other or to communicate with others from all over the world.
Social learning theories and the instructional strategies learned this week need to be implemented in more classrooms. Students love to communicate with others and especially with the use of technology. Why not make class fun and more enjoyable by using the techniques students enjoy and teach them how to communicate and work together? What a terrific way to prepare them for their futures.
Resources
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program eight. Social learning theories [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Your comment that "students want immediate feedback on assignments and immediate help" is very true. Not only do they want this feedback immediately, but they need it, otherwise they may start to learn concepts incorrectly. I have found that with 20 to 30 students in a class it is almost impossible for me to give them this feedback in a timely manner. When students are working alone, they create their own meaning, right or wrong, and continue to build off of this understanding unless they are told that they are wrong. That is why I now have all of my students sit in groups rather than rows. It allows them to check each other’s understanding as they learn topics, which then helps to catch any misconceptions quickly.
ReplyDeleteFrom most of my experience, the immediate help they need is really the need of immediate gratification. They get frustration if I don't rush over to help them even if I am helping someone else. I let them work together sometimes but they usually get off task. I do think some form of online discussion could help keep them from making incorrect steps on their homework that they continue to make during the unit.
ReplyDeleteIt makes it more difficult when your system blocks the use of certain sites, but as you point out, there are numerous other sites that can serve the same or similar purposes. One I have been looking at is Google Wave, which is a kind of combination VT, document and collaboration tool. Check it out if you get a chance.
ReplyDeleteFrom my experiences I also liked working with friends to get assignments done. Not only could we help each other but we were engaged and always interested when we could work with others. However allowing group work can cause more off task behaviors but it is a good way to get studens excited about something they may not be interested in.
ReplyDeleteHas your district had any experiences with Facebook. I like the idea of incorporating Facebook into my instruction, but at present the odds of me being allowed to do this are pretty slim. We recently had a few vicious harassment issues involving students and Facebook, so for right now at least, Facebook is off limits.
ReplyDelete