Cooperative learning groups is an easy way to describe the social learning theory. I have found that when students work in groups they really do learn more than I anticipate. I will admit that at first when group work is assigned their needs to be A LOT of structure. Students can get off task and off topic very easily. They need to learn that when they are working in groups there actually needs to be work going on! This can be a difficult task at times. If the information they are learning about does not interest them, then it makes it even more difficult to keep focus. This is where I believe technology comes in! If the integration of technology can keep students engaged and on topic then why would teachers not want to use it?! Bringing in multimedia projects and ideas like Webquests can really spice up a lesson. They encourage students to "focus on using information rather than looking for it.."(Pitler, et al. p. 146). It is so important that students see what they are learning in action and understand why it is they are learning about it. I have used Microsoft Publisher in my classes and the students love that chance to use their creativity to make something! It is so easy for them to follow and a great opportunity for group work as well.
Other ideas for students to use that go along with connectivisim are the social networking sites and web pages. Things like Skype give everyone a chance to connect to people around the world. It is a chance to collaborate and communicate with one another in a quick, easy way. Of course, this cannot be done with all age groups so I would say that the age level of students would need to be looked at before using the program. It would be great to use it in the classroom and we are trying this out during the school year to see how it works! I hope that it is effective in collaborating with other teachers and students across our district.
Overall, students NEED to socialize throughout the school day. When teachers use group work in the classroom it gives them a chance to communicate with their peers and share what they know. Yes, if they are off topic they need a teacher (the facilitator) to help get them back on track, but keeping them engaged with fun lessons and group assignments will hopefully hold their interest!
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Structure, structure, structure is what I preach to my special education students when we are completing a social learning activity. You are exactly right, group activity does not mean social time to discuss what is the latest rumor. I see this as the biggest obstacle for success when teaching through the social learning style. So much important information can be lost or never started if students are not focused on the objective. If an educator can find a good solid structure there is no doubt that this style of learning has so many positive attibutes. Students do need to socialize. This socialization must be on task to gain and retain crucial information. Good post.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what grade or subject we teach, it seems like structure is the key word for all teachers in regards to group work. It is so hard to keep students focused on a group collaborative project, especially if they aren't totally interested in it. I agree that fun, engaging lessons are the answer and also think that technology can be a huge aid in making our lessons more interesting for the kids! It helps to hear that other teachers also deal with the focus of kids in groups--sometimes when reading our course texts, it makes collaborative learning (and all the other types of learning as well) seem so easy; any good teacher is able to effortlessly implement any strategy into their classroom with very little work. It can be easy to start thinking how easy it will be, which will lead to disappointment when it is harder to use than we previously thought. Anyway, I am glad to hear your thoughts on structure!
ReplyDeleteAlso break it down into smaller portions. Set up check points so that the students stay on task and on pace. As long as you give out your expectation early and do plenty of cooperative projects then the students will stay on task more and get more accomplished.
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