This week there were several good suggestions for using technology in the classroom in our text. For me, a third grade teacher, creating videos and webpages may be a bit out of our league. For students in the upper grades, the use of these techniques would prove to be supportive of social learning strategies. Teachers observe several learning styles, we also understand that there are many ways to learn, social learning is just one. One situation were I envision social learning with technology is through webquests. In our computer lab, each student can log on and follow the links, guiding discussion and supporting learning of new material.
While each student has his or her own skills, talents, learning styles, outside influences, social status, and on and on, we the educators look for what works and what doesn’t. This can change drastically year to year, class to class, student to student. While social learning may have its place in one grade level it may be unrealistic with another. Some may not be capable of working in collaborative groups. Some may not be willing to support their peers. While social learning may be a valuable tool, it is only one of many possible considerations. Dr. Orey suggests that the learner has a zone of proximal development where anything above this needs a facilitator, a knowledgeable other to support the learner, unable to learn (Laureate, 2009). One way to offer this support is with collaborative learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Social Learning Theories [DVD}. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
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Lance, I agree that we base on what works in our classroom depending on the type of students we have and how they learn. The only way that we can know the best way for a student to learn is to try different methods in teaching students. I would kind of disagree with you with regards to not wanting to try certain methods with different groups of students. I think that we need to try to help students to realize what is out there and how it can help them, and not necessarily pick and choose for them. We can facilitate by showing students what is available and let them make that choice.
ReplyDeleteI have used webquests in my classroom many times. I have found that the students like them too because it helps them set-up who will do which task. It also helps them complete the task in small steps, rather than the much larger ones that they tend to attempt and then get discouraged. I have found that I, as the teacher, need to thoroughly check out the webquest to make sure that links are still active and that resources are available where the quest states it is. I have found that some of the webquests I wanted to use in my classroom could not be used because many of the links were no longer active.
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ReplyDeleteI am interested in hearing more about the webquests that you use with your third graders. Do you create these webquests yourself, or do you find them online? My only experience with a webquest was creating one for an undergraduate class and have not visited it or any other since. What type of webquests have you sent your kids on? Do they all work on the same webquest at the same time?
I use cooperative learning in my class often, but it is very difficult to adjuct lessons to student learning styles
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