Social learning is when students
actively engage in constructing artifacts and conversing with others (Laureate
Education Inc., 2011). Cooperative learning is one instructional strategy that
utilizes the beliefs of social learning.
Cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other
in groups in ways to enhance their learning (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn,
2012). Students work together to reach a goal that was given to them by the
teacher. The purpose of cooperative
learning is to actively involve students in the learning process by requiring
them to discover to discover knowledge (Orey, 2001).
Cooperative learning allows
students to learn in a way that does not feel to them like it is learning. In
many students’ minds, learning is something that is boring. Since most students
enjoy working in groups, they do not think of it as boring. There are two basic
components of cooperative learning; positive interdependence and individual and
group accountability (Pitler et al, 2012). Cooperative learning motivates many
students because they feel obligated to complete their work because the grade
for the group is dependent on everyone completing their part. Also, because
they are creating something they are sharing with the class, they take pride in
their work because other students will see it.
There are many social network and
collaborative tools that would aide a teacher in creating an environment where
social learning occurs. Google Drive can be utilized by a group to work on a
project. All students have access to the assignment and can add their
information anywhere at any time. This allows students to be in different
locations but are still able to work together. Students could also use Facetime
or Skype to talk to each other in real time to work together. Students could be
in two different countries and still be able to work together. Another tool that can be utilized is Webquests.
Webquests are inquiry-oriented activities that allow students from multiple locations
to work together to learn about a particular subject or create a project
(Pitler et al. 2012). Webquests put all the information together in one pace so
students are learning rather than trying to find the information. The focus is
on thinking and analysis. Webquests allow students to utilize their higher
thinking skills instead of getting frustrated trying to find the information by
Googling it.
Social learning seems to be one way
that helps students learn. Students enjoy working with a group of their peers.
Most students try harder when they are in a group because they know the group
is depending on them. The teacher also plays an important role in cooperative
learning. The teacher must be the motivator and continually check up on the
groups to make sure they are on task and completing their work. There are many
technologies that are available for teachers and students to utilize for social
learning. Some sites include Facebook, Edmodo, Instagram, and second life. All
these sites allow students to communicate and collaborate with each other. As
technology and society changes, education must also change in order to stay up with
the times. The time of the teacher standing in front of the room lecturing for
an hour every day is gone. The teacher must now be a facilitator of learning
instead of an imparter of knowledge.
Helpful Sites
For more information on webQuests:
Useful tips for using collaborative learning
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program eight: Social
learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging
learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Orey,
M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology.
Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page
Pitler,
H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using
technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA:
ASCD.
Karry,
ReplyDeleteLove the way you implement pictures in your blog, just for starters!
I had to pull this piece out of your bog, "In many students’ minds, learning is something that is boring. Since most students enjoy working in groups, they do not think of it as boring." You hit the nail on the head with that thought! In essence, students really do hate to "learn", but if a teacher can camouflage learning and make it into an assignment where the students work together and create something they enjoy, then it isn't so bad! I enjoyed the fact that you came right out and stated this!
I also enjoyed your note about posting up student work so that they can take pride it what they created instead of knowing that their teacher just stuck it in a drawer somewhere. Why should a student put effort into something if they know it will only be graded and thrown away!
Well done Karry,
Nate P.
HI Nate,
ReplyDeleteThank-you for the positive feedback. IT has been my experience that some teachers have students complete projects but never show them off. When I tell students that others are going to see them, it does make them take ownership of their work and put forth more effort. Sometimes, we have to say things straight out even if some may frown upon it. IF more people did this, I think education would benefit because some teachers are afraid to speak their mind and rock the boat :) I am always rocking the boat at my school. My principal ha told me that I keep him on his toes.
Karry
Hey Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI really like the use of google drive for a in class project where students can access and edit the information wherever they have internet access. Dropbox can also have the same features, where students can access class materials as well. Dropbox also can inform the teacher of who has been logging in to access the material unlike google drive which can help monitor student involvement.
I use instagram to post my students homework assignment, that way a notification reminds them that there is a homework assignment due the next day.
-David Yam
Karry,
ReplyDeleteJust as Nate pointed out, you brought up a good point about the label of "learning" makes it automatically not fun. By masking it through social interactions, learning becomes fun, because students have no longer labeled it learning.
I am a huge fan of the Google Drive. My school used to have to keep documents on a share drive, which is a server-based drive that can be accessed from any computer in the school. That was great, but since anyone could access it, many reports ended up missing, deleted, or saved incorrectly. The other drawback was the fact that it could not be accessed at home. I had many students emailing me, asking me to send them their presentation so they could work on it from home. After that, I decided never again! I had all my students learn about the Google Drive, and they found the ease of use, and ability to take their work with them was awesome. Plus, they were able to share it with me at the end. Through the Google Drive, group work was much easier because students could see what was going on in real time. They did not have to take turns at the computer, or sit around it as one person did all the work. The Google Drive has definitely transformed social learning!
Patricia