Cooperative Learning

Social learning is the idea that people learn best when actively engaged with others. You cannot expect a student to learn while sitting at a desk, reading a book silently. Think about all the times you have sat with a book that was not interesting and read 10 pages only to find out that you do not remember anything that you read? This is because you were not engaged. Read the book with a partner or friend and you'll better remember what was said!
This week we discussed instructional strategies that will help the teacher and the student incorporate more social learning techniques into the classroom. To me, these are very interesting and I look forward to trying some of them when school starts again in the fall.
The first strategy that was discussed in this weeks readings was multimedia. In using this technique, students create a project that includes "many roles and responsibilities" (Pitter, Hubbell, Kuhn and Malenoski, 2007). These type of activities naturally lead to group work. When doing these types of activities, it is important to stay organized and provide the students with exactly what you want from them. In doing this, you cut down on some of the mayhem that tends to arise with cooperative learning. Organization can include rubrics, job duties, and responsibilities. This allows students to take on ownership of the assignment which will lead to higher quality work.
The next instructional strategy discussed in this weeks resources is the use of web resources. This is an awesome strategy, yet one my school is slow to pick up on. Web resources, such as Epals and Keypals (Pitter, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoksi, 2007) are ways to connect with students all over the globe. If students learn best from others, imagine how much they can learn by interacting with the many different cultures and beliefs on the web. Sadly, my school believes this is unsafe. I believe that if we can teach our students the correct way to use the Internet then good things will happen! It is up to us!
Going along with the use of web resources are web quests. In web quest "students in a class or from multiple locations work together to learn about a particular subject or to tackle a particular project or problem" (Pitter, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski, 2007). Once again students can work with other students from all around the world to create one project. The amount of input and imagination that could be put into a project like that is amazing!
The last web resource that I really like is the use of communication software. Programs like Skype allow students to talk, chat and even communicate face to face at no cost. What used to happen in slow pen pal letters now happens instantainously over the web. Students can combine the use of communication software with one of the previously mentioned stragies and create a seem less project. The web is an amazing place.
To end this post I must say that while I do not look forward to going back to school yet (summer just started!!!), I do keep thinking of cool lessons that I can teach using all I have learned. I believe that my students will be more engaged, as I will be a better teacher and guide. Can't wait to see all this may bring!

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.