The Cooperative learning instructional strategy is definitely one way to apply the principles of social learning theories. Students in the cooperative learning groups are allowed to collaborate with students that know more than they do about the topic, or they are able to use technology to investigate the topic/objective, and they are able to collaborate with a professional, the teacher, to learn even more. The jigsaw strategy is another way to incorporate cooperative learning, and the social learning theory; it gives the students a chance to collaborate in their cooperative groups. Both learning theories, collaborative and cooperative, assign specific tasks, both use groups, and both require the students to share and compare their findings. In both cases, discovery approaches are used to teach interpersonal skills and student talks are stressed as a means for working things out, as Orey, M (2001) stated; which illustrates the social learning theory.
The majority of the social learning based technology that I explored, seem to support the social learning theory, with these technology tools students are able to collaborate, and work in cooperative learning groups to complete an objective, a task, or an artifact. I found only one that I had a question about its ability to incorporate the social learning theory, and that is the second life social technology tool; but I guess it is a multi-user virtual environment so that makes it capable of performing the social learning theory.
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program eight: Social learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Kay,
ReplyDeleteI also thought the social learning theory went hand in hand with cooperative learning! It is easy to see connections as each focuses on students working together to create an artifact/ complete a task. Both theories focus on communication even when dealing with technology social networking tools. Do you use any of the technology mentioned in chapter 7:Cooperative Learning in your classroom?
Chelsea
Kay,
ReplyDeleteWhat I like best about social learning is something that you mentioned and it is the sharing and comparing aspect of learning. Working cooperatively to increase interpersonal skills can definitely give our students more confidence to speak their minds and share ideas more freely.
Cindy
Chelsea& Cody,
ReplyDeleteI have already placed podcast, wiki, blog, and voice thread activities in my lesson plans. We will start doing all on of these in two weeks. All of the above require investigation, and cooperative learning to develope the information to entered on each. These activities will incorporate the social learning theories in my clss.
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI agree that cooperative learning will increase interpersonal skills, and definitely give our students more confidence to speak their minds and share ideas more freely. I also feel that as we teach with the blogs, wikis,podcasts, and voice threads, our students will began to speak correct english, and use correct punctuation. Because they will know that others will be able to read it.