This week in graduate school we explored the social learning theory. Dr. Orey (Laureate Education Inc., 2011) states that this theory is practiced by having students actively engaged in constructing artifacts and conversing with one another. Basically it is a way to get kids engaged collaboratively using some type of social networking. In the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works the authors state that the instructional strategy of cooperative learning “focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning ( Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p.139).” In my mind these two definitions sound identical; that is why I believe cooperative learning was developed to be used with the social learning theory.
Dr. Orey (2001) suggests that by creating small groups, modeling appropriate behavior, setting high expectations and using criteria to assess student work Cooperative groups can have amazing results in the classroom. I like the way that in cooperative groups, students are able, through conversations, to gain knowledge from every member of the group. The entire point of a group is to use everyone’s prior knowledge to build onto one another’s learning. Then use that combination of knowledge to create an artifact. In this week’s chapter on Cooperative Learning I found that they offered many diverse tools to use in classrooms. I was surprised that I was unfamiliar with most of the programs mentioned. My goal now is to take some time and explore each option to see if I can use them in my kindergarten classroom. Do you know of one that would fit with my five and six year old learners?
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., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteA wonderful place to observe cooperative (most of the time) learning at work is a preschool classroom. Even at that tender age, children learn from their environment and then know how to behave according to the responses from other students and the teacher. And it's in this surrounding that they learn the basic structure of society and how to treat each other through conversations, play, eat, and even sleep. Besides all that, they're so cute. :)
Kim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment! I agree that young children are so cute especially when they are interacting with one another!
Chelsea
Chelsea,
ReplyDeleteI was really unfamiliar (once again!) with most of the web based resource tools mentioned in our reading this week. One site I started investigating more was http://del.icio.us, it might be fun for students your age to post their favorite books, pictures, and favorite websites related to their interests. Parents could help as well with aiding students in typing and researching to make it more of a collaborative effort outside the classroom walls.
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI have tried delicious.com (http://del.icio.us is the old URL, although it still redirects), and loved it. If you have a lot of sites you want bookmarked and have them ready for you on any computer, definitely worth it. You can also categorize and tag pages as you go along to find them easily. One thing I absolutely love is the ability to "steal" other educators' bookmarks into yours. That means that if those technology people make their bookmarks public, you can add them into your own bookmarks so you don't have to go and search for these sites. Absolutely fabulous.
Another "fun" bookmarking site you might want to try with your students is www.only2clicks.com. It's a site if you don't need an extensive library of bookmarks... did it mention that it's fun too. :)
Cindy and Kim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the suggestions. I can't wait to do some research!
Chelsea