Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice
The learning strategies discussed both in the media and text this week, directly correlate with the social learning theory. All the activities discussed incorporated the need for students to work together to be successful with a project. The activities would also provide students with the opportunity to communicate, display trust among peers, demonstrate leadership, apply decision making and problem solving skills. If students are working together to create a multimedia material such as a video they will need to be able to collaborate to piece together each students ideas to create a finished product. In having students depend on one another to be successful there will be more thought put into the cooperation among the group members.
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Isn't amazing how some students just click together and others do not? Even classes. My second year of teaching was so difficult. I had a lot of bright student, they just did not get along or like to work together. My third year I had students that like to ride other students coattails. But my 4th and 5th year of teaching was the best. Collaboration Galore. I really think so much depends on the make up and personalities of the students.
ReplyDeleteAmber,
ReplyDeleteHaving students work in groups definitely makes the students accountable for the finished product. It is important for the educator to provide strategies and expectations of group work. In my first year of teaching, I had my students work together in groups to complete a reading activity. Some parents were disappointed with their child's grade because I graded the entire group the same. However, I have learned that it is important to give 2 grades: a group and individual grade. The students need to know that they are held accountable for their part in the final product. Having students work collectively on a project teaches the students social skills, problem solving strategies, and teamwork. These are all skills that students need to exhibit in order to function in the real world.
Meghan
Sonia, I couldn't agree more with you.
ReplyDeleteMeghan, I have found that to be fair to everyone there needs to be 2 separate grades due to the fact that at times certain students will take advantage of the group setting. This week I really talked to my students and talked to them about the importance of working in a group. I also implemented the Behaviorist theory by offering a reward for cooperative learning groups.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about students cooperating better with each other because they were given a situation where they would have to depend on one another. Too often, students just divide the project into parts, and then they only do their part. This often times leads to disorganized information (regardless of its accuracy), and then the project is meaningless because the students may or may not understand their part.
ReplyDeleteI love that you discussed the idea of trust. It is so important that students trust each other, especially when working collaboratively. This is where social learning is great because it can help to build trust among classmates. I also agree with Meghan, however, in giving two grades for group projects. As important as it is to trust group members, there will always be students who sit back and allow others to do all the work.
ReplyDelete