The social learning theory was the topic of study for this week.
The belief behind this theory is that student learning is improved when “students
actively engage in constructing artifacts and conversing with others” (Laureate
Education, Inc., 2010). Collaboration and cooperative learning go hand in hand
with these principles. During my studies this week, I read Chapter 3:
Cooperative Learning in the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction
that Works (Pitler, Hubbell &
Kuhn, 2012). While doing so, I encountered numerous cooperative learning
activities that are technology based that tie in with the social learning
theory.
The first activity addressed in the chapter was the use of
student-generated multimedia. With this, students can work in small groups to
create a video or website related to the content being studied. I have assigned
video creation projects in my classes in the past. Students loved the
assignments and really formed a great understanding of the information being
covered. Another cooperative learning activity discussed was communication and
collaboration software such as wikis, Skype and the JASON project. WebQuests,
which fall under communication and collaboration software, were also addressed
in the chapter. WebQuests are “inquiry-oriented activities” where students from
either one class or another place work together to learn and solve problems (Pitler,
Hubbell & Kuhn, 2012, p 83). There are numerous WebQuests available for
teachers to incorporate into their classes. Simulation games such as The Sims
and ePALS are also great methods of collaborative learning. Finally, chapter
three mentioned shared bookmarking and course management that allow teachers to
share web links, documents, and information with their students. All of the
examples discussed above allow students to interact with one another to solve
problems and learn concepts. Doing so results in a deeper understanding of what
is being learned.
I would love to incorporate many of the programs introduced
in this chapter into my classroom. I have never used WebQuests or simulation
games. I think these activities would be excellent for my English language
learners. I am excited to do a bit more research and decide on a couple of
these to use in the near future.
Resources
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Social learning theories [Video
webcast]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_2819318_1%26url%3D
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using
technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.).
Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Websites mentioned
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