Cooperative learning is one form of social learning that is being used in the teaching environment in the 21-st century. Teaching students to learn via social media will help prepare them for the fast-paced virtual workplace they will be required to function in (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). Humans are social beings and as a result I believe that students strive better when they are required to work together to create an artifact or make connections with their prior knowledge. Working together in this way is part of the social learning theory discuss in this week’s video resource Social Learning Theories (Laureate, 2011).
The use of technology in social learning can allow educators to provide a safe environment for students to learn the skills required for the 21-st century work environment. Outside of the classroom, most students are already using social media to create communities from which learning take place with other students as well as experts in their field. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski (2007) stated that the use of technology along with cooperative learning tools – multimedia, web resources, and communication software) provide our students with anytime, anywhere service which facilitate lifelong learning (Pitler, et al, 2007).
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (2011). Social learning theories. [Video webcast]. 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_1374104_1%26url%3D.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
There is so much a student can learned by working together if they put their minds together. I know it can be challenge for people to work together but social learning theory includes behavior patterns and the environment. We as educator need to make the environment seducive for learning.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a challenge to get people to work together. However, with consistency in the classroom, an engaging learning environment, and rewards for the correct behavior our students will learn to be team players. After all, this is a skill that is needed in the 21st century work environment.
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