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This week, we are studying about cooperative learning and how that relates to the social learning theories. A social learning theory is one that involves others when learning or constructing new ideas. We can make connections when we talk with others about a topic or by participating in a group project. In our text, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007), suggest several ideas for using groups of students working together to increase their understanding of a certain topic.
Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007) emphasize that the students working together should all be actively participating in the group, which can be accomplished by assigning tasks or have them choose which task they want to complete. Technology can really be utilized with students learning together and from each other. For example, creating a web page is a great way for students to engage in the social learning theories. The teacher will assign the topic and each student is then responsible for some aspect of the page. The students can discuss ideas with each other and also share information that they have researched on their own and then they can contribute to the group.
There will always be the issue that some students do not want to participate, but with technology, there is a wider range of interests involved in the project. For example, someone that may not enjoy researching can do more of the design of the layout of the web page.
The jigsaw method is another great way for students to gather information as a group on a particular subject, and then spread their group out to made new groups, each one then teaching their subject to the new group. This is a great way for students to learn from one another, thus practicing the social learning theories.
Incorporating social learning theories in the classroom is important not only for students to learn skills that will be needed later in life, but it allows for the students to “teach” each other and share good ideas.
References
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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I also think that the jigsaw method is a great way to have students work together. I have myself been part of a group that used the jigsaw method for some reading for a class. I feel like I learned a lot because I had to be the teacher for everyone else. I was responsible for making sure my peers learned the important information that I had read, since they did not read it. I also have used the method in my classroom and it has worked well. Have you used the jigsaw method before in your classroom? If so, how did it work for you?
ReplyDeleteVery informative website also! Thanks for putting the link on your blog.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI have only used it once or twice and it did work really well. I want to use it more in the future, because I realize how valuable it is to be able to teach someone else. I also want the students to incorporate a visual somehow when they present the information to the next group. I think that will be very beneficial.
Kara
Elizabeth and Kara,
ReplyDeleteI have use the jigsaw method in my classroom and it has worked very well. My students enjoy the responsibility of teaching the material. I think incorporating a visual to present the information would be very effective and add to the teaching.
Ashley
Mrs. Woodworth,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your observation that technology will create a wider range of project interest and get those students that might not otherwise participate more involved. And allowing students to choose the task they want to participate in an important aspect of student-cenetred instruction.
Your class sounds like a lot of fun!
In my high school class, my TAM teacher had a class blog set up for the students to use. I was not very sure about blogs or how they worked until recently. My teacher I work with now did not fully use the blog idea to the fullest extent and the students did not seem to like it. I have told him some of my ideas and he truly seems to be excited for next year as we use both of our ideas! Blogging is a great way for social learning.
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