Social Learning Theory

          "The instructional strategy of 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). According to Dr. Orey the social learning theory stresses that students actively engage in constructing artifacts and conversing with others. (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a).  Therefore, cooperative learning and the social learning theory are closely related.

            In my classroom, I use cooperative learning often because my students learn a lot from each other and they enjoy working together. PowerPoint is one tool that I have my students use to create presentations in groups. In the past, I had students work on skits, posters, brochures and many other cooperative learning activities. I now see that there are many educational technology tools that can be used within the classroom that encompass principals of the social learning theory.

            "Creating a video is a complex task that requires many roles and responsibilities" and is a great example of the social learning theory that can be applied within the classroom (Pitler, et.al, 2007, p. 141). This activity can involve students in many ways and students can work together to create a video project in the classroom. Creating web sites or webquests are also two activities where students can work cooperatively. Another great tool that I was introduced to this week is the Voice Thread. The voice thread is an online social learning tool that can be used within the classroom. According to Kevin Jarrett, voice thread is like a photo album where people can upload images or video and comment on it through text, video, or audio (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011b).  This application gives students the opportunity to collaborate whether they are in the same room or across the world. It is another great example of learning through the social learning theory. I created a voice thread for a possible lesson that I would like to do with my students. By creating this voice thread I was able to see how easy it will be for my students to collaborate and work cooperatively together by making comments or by creating their own. This is a link to the one I created:  http://walden.voicethread.com/share/3266178/.

            These activities enable students to learn from each other and enhance their understanding through collaboration. As stated by Dr. Orey the "more knowledgeable other" is the person or thing that the learner needs to help them learn in a social learning environment (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a).  Cooperative learning activities like the ones mentioned above allow students to learn from someone or something that has more information; that someone can be their classmate or teacher and that something can be a specific website or book. Technology has created more opportunities to use the social learning theory within the classroom.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011a). Social learning theories. 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_1342106_1%26url%3D

Laureate Education, Inc. (2011b). Spotlight on technology: VoiceThread. 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_1342106_1%26url%3D

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.