This week I am examining the correlation between instructional strategies and the social learning theory. Dr. Orey states the social learning theory has "students actively engaged in constructing artifacts and conversing with others" (Laureate Education, 2008). He also shares "teaching others helps the learner develop a deeper understanding of the content" (Laureate Education, 2008). Social learning is very active and is students centered, as well as peer centered. Simply put, the teacher facilitates students learning by providing opportunities for them to work with others cooperatively to create artifacts. Additionally, connectivism is a learning theory that "integrates technology, social networks and information" (Laureate Education, 2008).
Cooperative learning is a strategy that "focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). Students "make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007). Our text shared several technology based strategies that can provide students with cooperative learning opportunities. "Technology can play a unique and vital role in cooperative learning by facilitating group collaboration, providing structure for group tasks, and allowing members of groups to communicate even if they are not working face to face" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).
Examples of technology based cooperative learning opportunities are creating a video (multimedia), web site creation, blogs, wikis, shared bookmarking, WebQuests, and web-enabled multi-player simulation games. When creating a video "students are not only working together in cooperative groups to create the movies, but are actually participating in cooperative teaching" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). I believe this could be Incorporated in my PE class. Many of my students are already developing their skill for making videos in our video production class. WebQuests allow students to "work together to learn about a particular subject or to tackle a particular project or problem" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). I think WebQuests could be utilized in my PE class as a form of cooperative learning. Once my county opens up the use of blogs and wikis to us, i will make use of them to facilitate students learning.
The concept of students interacting with each other for a common purpose of learning is the idea behind cooperative learning. To sum it up "cooperative learning is not so much learning to cooperate as it is cooperating to learn" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Learning socially and utilizing technology is beneficial for students and should be used in our classroom for years to come.
Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program eight. Social Learning Theories [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell. E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K., (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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I am very intriqued that you are so open to incorporating technology into your PE curriculum. I think it is fantastic! I am sure that you utilize cooperative learning all the time as it is the essence of teamwork. Have you ever had your students design their own games, complete with rules and procedures? I have done this as an activity in my classroom by giving each group (of 5-6 students) 20 paperclips and 15 minutes to work together to create a game that incorporates the paperclips with a focus on any math concept we covered throughout the year. It was amazing with what they came up with. Students are way more creative than adults. The teamwork was impressive and the classroom was buzzing with excitement. The students had a great time playing the games designed by all of the groups.
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