Orey (2010) describes social learning theory as, “a theory in which students are actively engaged in constructing artifacts and conversing with others” (Laureate Education, Inc.). When students collaborate and work together they are able to socialize with each other. Students get to discuss and bounce ideas off one another. They will decide together if their thoughts and ideas are valid or not. Student’s confidences will be built as they encourage each other’s ideas. Orey (2010) explains that “teaching others helps the learner develop a deeper understanding of the concept” (Laureate Education, Inc.).
Cooperative Learning
“This instructional strategy focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning. When students work in cooperative groups they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p. 139). Teachers need to make sure they use a variety of different ways to group students. One way I group students is by pulling popsicle sticks with their names on them. This way students are randomly grouped together to complete the cooperative learning activity. Teachers must include five basic components in their cooperative learning activities: positive interdependence, face-to-face interaction, individual and group accountability, interpersonal and small-group skills, and group processing (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p. 140).
“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 working face to face” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p. 140). Rubrics and advance organizers can help students plan and understand what is expected of them during the cooperative learning activity. Teachers can easily assign students a concept to research and present to the class through the ease of the internet. Students are digital natives and understand how to navigate and synthesis information found on the internet. “Students can use e-mail to collaborate with students in other classes in your school, or they can correspond and collaborate with “keypals” from far away” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p. 145). This is a unique way to continue to strengthen student’s 21st century skills while allowing them to be introduced to students who live in other parts of the world or have different cultures. I have not tried keypals with my students, but I am intrigued to look online and see if I can find another seventh grade teacher from somewhere far way from South Carolina, who is interested in having their students have virtual penpals. Teachers can have their cooperative groups create blogs and wiki’s as a way for their group to communicate with each other. Students can also share ideas and thoughts on the blog or wiki with each other while they are at home. This way the group can access the blog or wiki during class the next day and discuss the new ideas members posted the night before. WebQuests are another way to incorporate technology into your cooperative learning activities. I use WebQuest all the time with my students. They like that they get to navigate through the web or assigned website to find the answers to the questions on their own. It increases their problem solving skills because students will continue to search the internet until they find the correct answer. They will also ask their partner before asking the teacher for help.
Social learning theory, specifically cooperative learning, is being implemented in classrooms across the country. It is important that students are given the opportunity to work together to create artifacts that demonstrate the knowledge they are learning in the classroom. Student’s confidence and learning will increase as a result of cooperative learning. Students learn best by teaching the information to their peers at the conclusion of the cooperative learning activity.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). “Social Learning Theories with Michael Orey. [DVD]. In Walden University: Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Sara,
ReplyDelete“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 working face to face” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p. 140). One of the greatest aspects of web 2.0 tools are their ability to overcome obstacles of time and ocation. There is an abundance of Web 2.0 tools that address cooperative learning including: collaborative organizing, simulation games, and much more. Web enabled cooperative learning refers to the thriving medium the world wide web has become for collaboration in business, education, and personal lives. This addresses the three major components of social learning in that students are able to work at their own pace, contribute at their own levels, receive immediate feedback and confirmation, and is clearly applicable to real word situations. Do you incorporate technology within your classroom while involving students in collaborative learning opportunities? If so, how? I would like to do more and am always looking for more feedback!
...Michael Wanmer
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI do involve technology into our cooperative learning activities as much as possible. Students use the computer to type up a lab report, chart or graph their results from the lab, create a PowerPoint presentation, participate in a Webquest, and maybe a few other ways that I cannot think of right off the top of my head.
I feel that this method of instruction is one of the best methods that one can implement. Not only does it promote student engagement, it allows for peer editing, peer tutoring and the opportunity to converse with each other with out the need of being face to face. You mentioned trying "key pals", I was just introduced to E-Pals, which is a website dedicated to students and teachers through the use of collaborative projects. You can set up class email mail accounts that are very secure. You are able to monitor everything that is sent and received. Check out epals.com.
ReplyDeleteMicheal, this may be something you might want to explore as well. there are some great ideas on the site. Also, i read that you were looking for some new technology ideas. I have found that web page design has been a wonderful resource for cooperative learning, problem solving and critical thinking.
Thanks for the website for e-pals. I will look into finding my classes e-pals for the start of the second semester after the holiday break. Its great that I'll be able to monitor everything students send and receive that will make parents feel more comfortable about the idea too.
ReplyDeleteWhen cooperative learning works, it really works. I had students run their own clothing drive after reading a short story about a homeless man in class. Students were divided into different groups including public relations. This particular group of students was responsible for writing their own press releases and had 2 local TV stations show up for the finial delivery of the items to a local Salvation Army. I was happy that they were so successful.
ReplyDelete