It’s time for workshop groups. Although these groups are suppose to be differentiated instruction they can sometimes lean towards cooperative grouping. Cooperative grouping is a great example of the social learning theory because students are working together and creating a product. Dr. Michael Orey states that cooperative groups allows for students to “see each other as a teacher and student” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010a). This shows that students take on more then one role in their learning and are given responsibility for their learning. They are socially aware and able to communicate with each other to facilitate their learning.
Cooperative grouping is also an example of Connectivism because it allows for students to use different networks for their learning (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010b). George Siemens states, in his discussion about Connectivism, it is “not just the individual learner but the broader environment they are located in” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010b). With cooperative groups students are not just individual learners but they are working with other people and the networks available to further their learning.
With technology we can do nothing but enhance our students’ learning. There are so many different tools available to be used for cooperative learning. WebQuests are an awesome way to engage students in their learning. In the book Using Technology in Classroom Instruction that Works it says “WebQuests are designed to use learners’ time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Instead of just teaching the content we can allow the students to learn it themselves through the WebQuest. This of course is just one strategy we can use that allows for social learning and cooperative grouping at the same time.
The question now becomes how will we embrace the ideas of technology, cooperative grouping, and social learning together? What will us as teachers need to do to ensure that our students are learning to the best of ours and their abilities?
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program eight. Social learning theories [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore , MD
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program nine. Connectivism as a learning theory [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI really think that integrating technology into the classroom will be a grassroots effort. It will start with the teacher who integrates, then the teacher next door will start integrating when they see the success, and it will go from there. As teachers, we need to keep learning and trying new technologies and be willing to put the time into learning.
Holly
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that great things happen when technology is integrated into the classroom. I too discovered webquest this week and actually used it today with my students. They were engaged and loved every minute of the lesson. I know some teachers are apprehensive to use any technology as a teaching tool. Why do you think that some teachers can't see the positive outcome of such use?
Rachel Brewer
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteMy concern comes into play when they discuss the various ways to group students. In my classroom we use literature circles, where each student has a job they are responsible for, to teach them responsibility with in a group. This is the only method that I have seen that works. I have seen so many group project turn into a one man show, due to one student wanting to be the leader and the other being O.K with letting them take over. I think that internet based projects, where the students are all allowed to participate at the same time along with credits by their contributions, allows time to be use more effectively and a sense of accountability is established.
Thanks,
Nicole F
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteSimply put, the time it would take them. Although using technology is awesome and helps with student’s attention and knowledge it does take time to integrate it properly. It takes time to find the resources or create it yourself. I know that I am still juggling all the responsibilities of work and home right now. There are definite times where I realize after the fact that more technology in this or that lesson would have helped. Right now teachers should be experimenting with what is already out there and not forcing them to constantly create things.
Nicole,
Grouping students is that gray area of teaching that some teachers dread. It definitely takes time and practice. I think the biggest thing to realize is that students can change groups within the group work. I do like the computer based grouping to see who has participated with the project.
Stephanie Cunningham