According to Dr. Orey in our DVD, social learning theories “actively engage students in constructing artifacts and conversing with others” (Laureate, 2009). An instructional strategy that encompasses the social learning theory is that of cooperative learning. Based on our class text, Using Technology with classroom instruction that works, cooperative learning “focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007).
Social learning theories incorporate Vgostsky’s Zone of Proximal Development. Based on the three areas, what the child knows, what the child is able to learn at the time, and the highest level, what the child is unable to learn at this time, we can see that the cooperative learning takes place during the highest zone of proximal development. Meaning, the student needs “more knowledgeable others” (Laureate, 2009). The learner is being actively engaged with a parent, teacher, peer, or even a computer, to gain the knowledge that is normally unattainable by them.
Our class text lists some collaborative learning tools that correlate to the cooperative learning strategy. It first talks about Multimedia, for instance, videos. Here the students are required to work as teams to complete an activity. If this video project was done individually, then the students would not be able to feed off of one another for ideas. So, by working as a group, they are able to access each others ideas and put them into one big idea.
Another collaborative tool is web resources. Here students are able to collaborate with more than just their classmates. With the help of the web, students are able to gather more information quicker than they could before, they can collaborate with other students in their school or even students that are outside of their state or country, the web has opened up the limitations that used to exist with researching. Within the web, students are able to access online gaming where they are able to interact with other students simultaneously through some type of gaming interface. The best part of this type of tool is that the students are able to play against each other as opposed to playing against a machine.
The tools that students are able to access today have opened doors allowing students to explore beyond their desks. The idea of social learning theories is played out every day in every classroom. Teachers have their students work collaboratively to get more out of the project that has been assigned. Cooperative learning is a large part of education, and the reason for this is to allow our students to get ready for what is waiting for them when they are out in the workforce. Companies today are looking for people who are people persons, people who can get along with others, people who share their ideas for the advancement of a larger goal. If we don’t start this type of learning at a young age, then this type of desirable trait will be difficult to obtain. As an educator, I have learned more from teaching my students then I ever did when I was the one learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). 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.
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Erika,
ReplyDeleteI think you have done a good job explaining social learning and cooperaive learning. I don't know how many times I see one student helping another and my first reaction is to tell them to stop cheating, but they are not cheating but really collaborating. It is amazing how things have changed. Mant time students will be helping each other and they will stop and look at me and I have to reassure them that's ok to help each other. Sometimes they really are cheating, but others they are not. As I talk to other teachers they are having a hard time letting go of the control and allowing students to learn on their own. Like you said cooperative working environments are the present and future and our students ned to learn how to be productive in this setting.
Charles Schmidt
Charles,
ReplyDeleteI guess I am so used to it, that I really don't know any other way. My students love to help each other, and when you have students that lack the confidence to operate a piece of equipment, it is always nice to have someone their to walk them through. I can not be everywhere at the same time, so it really helps me as well.
Erika,
ReplyDeleteDo you have any ESOL population in your area? I wonder if any of the people in the discussion who said that social learning is not primary way of learning had any ESOL students at their school. With this kind of population, you see the Immersion for language, starting with the survival language acquisition, which is social learning at a later age. We see babies who learn by watching and doing, but as young adults or older children they definitely watch others in order to know how to act around the school and community environments. Later we learn other ways, but it seems we all start out this way, don't you think?
JoAnne,
ReplyDeleteYes we do have ELL. The students are run through the program and once they have passed certain tests, they are then put into classes, with help from the ELL teacher. I see the survival language acquistion as you stated, but I also see some of our ELL students not able to cope in a middle school atmosphere. They do all of the wrong things just to get attention. And some of those wrong things gets them into a lot of trouble, which is unfortunate. I do agree with you, we all start that way, but just at a very early age.
Erika,
ReplyDeleteI agree that we have to teach our students how to collaborate with others. Social skills, communication skills, collaborative skills all need to be taught and not assumed they know how to do!
Denise,
ReplyDeleteThat is what makes teaching Middle school so much fun. We get to help our students learn about themselves and others, and trying to teach them a little math and english along the way.
Erika,
ReplyDeleteI really love your ideas. I think it is crucial that students feed off of each other and work together, better work with a higher quality will be produced. The problem is keeping them on task.