This week I familiarized myself with
social learning theories. In the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction
that Works I read about cooperative learning. Thorough reflection on both these topics I
realized that they have similarities and work well together.
Social Learning theories are based on
students working with their peers. In
comparison, cooperative learning “focuses on having students interact with each
other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p.139). It is necessary for
students to learn to work together. Now,
more than ever its important for students to learn to successfully work
together because they “will inherit [… a] virtual workplace” (Pitler,
Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p.139).
Social networking tools allow you to
group students however you feel. The
cooperative learning strategy suggests that grouping “based on ability levels
should be don sparingly” and I can understand why this is done (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p.139). Students these days are
very aware of their academic ability and will quickly figure out (or try to
figure out) who is in the high group, who is in the average group, and what
students are always in the low group.
This is not a good strategy to use for social networking because student
can quickly see who is paired with who each time. I believe that you need to mix the abilities
up so that students are able to teach each other and learn from each other.
“Cooperative learning groups should be
rather small in size” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn &
Malenoski, 2007, p.139). I
love creating small groups for a couple reasons. One reason is because they are much more
manageable. In addition, it is easier to
group students together because you have fewer personalities to think
about. Lastly, the smaller groups allow
me to choose which ability levels will work flawlessly together and gain the
most knowledge from each other. In this
way, small groups allow you to group more students will different students. Your students are not complaining about
always having the same people in their group.
They are getting to know other students in their class who maybe they
wouldn’t have decided they wanted to be friends with.
When it comes to multimedia I believe
that it is important to have “individual and group accountability” especially
when students are creating a group project (Pitler,
Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p.140). I believe it is important for students to
understand that they are working as part of a group and that they also get an
individual grade also. By providing a
group and individual grade you can be sure that everyone is making an
effort. If a student isn’t participating
it won’t necessarily affect a group grade, but their individual grade. This way, students work together because
their grade partly depends on it but also because they are part of a group.
Communication software is awesome to
have access to because it “allows student to collaborate on projects without
the constraints of time or geography” (Pitler,
Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007, p.153). In my classroom currently, I have a
blog. I post the question every Friday,
and the students have until the following Thursday at lunch to get in their
answer. I require a number of sentences
because in fifth grade, if I didn’t they would answer in one word if they
could. Responding with the appropriate
length is something we are working on as a class. Students will need to be modeled how to
appropriately respond and what a ‘meeting standard’ grade looks like.
In conclusion, social learning
theories and cooperative learning are intertwined and work flawlessly together. I believe that social theories and the
cooperative strategy work remarkably well together and I think that I am using
both together know in my classroom without realizing it.
Resources
Pitler, H.,
Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom
instruction that works. Alexandria,
VA: ASCD.
Be sure to check out the book: Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works
And the online book sections: Social Constructivism, Cooperative Learning and Connectivism.
Be sure to check out my VoiceThread !
Ali,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is important to keep the cooperative learning groups small. On some instances, pairs work best for what I have planned. Often in groups of three, two of the students will pair up and the third member gets excluded. If the group is too large, it is easy for some members to push the work load on to others, while they watch.
I also use a variety of strategies to assign groups. Sometimes we use the traditional “count off” method, but more often I try to mix up the groups through another venue. I have had them arrange themselves alphabetically by their middle names, chronologically by their birthdays, or by the number of pets or siblings they have. I have some puzzle cards that have the beginning, middle, and end pictures of vehicles—the students have to find the other two parts of the puzzle and they become a group. And, sometimes, I allow the students to choose their groups, with the understanding that the group will be disbanded if they are not being productive. I try to avoid being predictable with how I establish groups—to always keep them guessing.
Let's see if try #3 will post this time.
DeleteStacey,
I am glad that you pointed out that a group of three usually ends with one person left out or taking charge. I think that it is hard for a group of three to work well together if it isn't the just right group of students. I think that students work better if they have just one other person to work closely with rather than two. Of course groups of three do work, however, I have noticed the same things as you.
Thanks for commenting,
Ali
Ali,
ReplyDeleteI too realized that similarity between the social learning theory and cooperative learning. Both requires communication and what better way to get students to work together that putting them to work in groups. Group work is beneficial if the are organized properly and each member understands their role in the group. It is also important that students are strategically group so as to get maximum learning coutcomes.
Hi Shona,
DeleteIt is hard to keep the theories separate because they are so similar. It is something that I will need to look back on frequently to be sure that I am addressing the correct theory. I also think that groups work best when they have specific roles to complete. I also find that in elementary school it works best if you assign who has what job unless it is something that one student in particular is passionate about.
Ali