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.