Social Learning Theories
The social constructivism theory believes that learning is a social process which takes place through interaction with others. The educational practices of collaboration and cooperative learning support this theory. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski suggest the use of several technological tools to assist in cooperative learning (2007). One practice I found interesting is asking experts in a field of study. There are websites such as http://nsdl.org/asknsdl where these experts can be contacted. Interacting with an expert in the field is a powerful learning experience for students. Another interesting strategy is the use of webquests. A webquest is an assignment where students are given websites to find specific information. I have used webquests in my classes and have experienced both positive and negative results. While webquests are an interactive way of learning information, they are time consuming to create. A third technological tool which I have found useful in the classroom is websites such as docs.google.com assist in sharing of files for projects. Students can work on a project together in the classroom and then also work from home on the same project without the need of saving to flash drives or emailing projects to each other.
The connectivism theory believes that learning is the process from which connections are made between networks. Collaboration plays a large role in both of these theories. Concept mapping directly connects to connectivism where information is visually connected to other information. Online concept mapping tools such as www.spiderscribe.net aid in making the connections needed to process information and can be created collaboratively or independently.
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Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI also find the asking an expert practice very interesting! I have never actually used technology in regards to this technique by contacting individuals on the web, but I am very excited to give it a try. However, I have brought experts into the classroom such and firemen, the poison control center, county librarians, game and fish experts, water safety individual, and so on. I know that when I have brought these individuals into my room the level of interest amongst my students has particularly risen. Therefore, I am not sure if the interest has risen simply from the excitement of having a guest in our room or from the theory that the children were able to socialize with the expert in conjunction with their learning. I guess one way to find out would be to actually use the internet in this manner and see if their interest is still at a peak! Thanks for your reflection, it definitely spurred some of my own thoughts!
Mrs. Williams,
ReplyDeleteHaving your students design their own piece of furniture is a great idea! Also, the confidence you have in your students to complete such an assignment is very high and the directions given to complete the assignment are very detailed. If there is one item to add, it can be rubric, which can be given to them at the introduction of the assignment.
Nice Job!
Mrs. Williams,
ReplyDeleteThis week's reading assignment recommended a number of excellent sites that enhance students participation. I think it is great that we, as we read about these excellent resources, utilize them in our classes, but I think it would be a great benefit if all of us would share the knowledge we gained concerning these resources with our fellow teachers. Let's not keep what we have learned a secret. Every week, with the exception of this week, at our regular teachers' meeting, I have shared what I have learned. I am known as the "Share-it" woman. If these sites are not blocked at their schools, they will be excellent resources that teachers can utilize.
Mrs. Williams,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you an expert is the best way to get a deeper understanding and clarifying any misconceptions that may develop. This weeks reading did give us some great resources but the book has not mentioned one that I think is a good resource that will lead to better resources. I think to often we as teachers do not allow our students to use wikipedia. Some were a long the line we got the impression that this website is evil, but the fact of the matter is that it can lead our students to some other great information as well as additional resources. Still Google.docs is a great resource for students and teachers to collaborate from home.