Social Constructivism

   

                “Learning can be maximized through well-designed intentional social interaction with others” (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, p.73, 2012).  Social Interaction is the foundation of all learning.  According to Vygotsky and his idea of the Zone of Proximal Development or ZPD, we all need the wise other to guide us to the next level (Laureate Education Inc. 2011).  The guidance can only happen if we communicate, collaborate and scaffold the learning process.  All learning involves communication and conversation, even a book we are reading to ourselves will stir an internal conversation for a good reader.  These are just a few examples that show us you cannot separate active learning and being social.  I feel that if something is that connected teachers should find a way to utilize the conversation rather then fight an uphill battle.  The resources provided this week are excellent tools to help embrace the social aspect of learning and make socializing in the classroom a positive rather then a negative.    

                Cooperative Learning is learning through the social aspects of our personalities (Orey, 2001).  When used regularly with fidelity it can truly transform the classroom and the learning experiences of the students (Pitler, Hubble, & Kuhn, 2012).  Research shows that it can even increase the connections between students and minimize isolation (Pitler, Hubble, & Kuhn. 2012).  Here are some resources that used with a detailed plan can and for a purpose can bring increases to achievement, student motivation, and overall learning in a classroom.

Google Drive = Google Drive will allow you to establish collaborative documents and share the link to these documents with others who can then access and make changes to these documents.  This tool creates an easy cooperative learning tool.  For example, a teacher starts a story and then send out the link to the document.  Each student then has a chance to log on make changes and add to the story.  In the end you have produced a story that was written cooperatively by the class. https://drive.google.com

E-Pals = This is an amazing and FREE tool for educators that allows teachers to issue email addresses to students and then the students are able to communicate in a sheltered environment with teacher monitoring.  There are blog options, email options, restrictions, monitoring and more.  This tool would allow students to have access to a worldwide community while still being protected, when needed.  http://www.epals.com/#!/main

Syncpad = If you have more than one iPad or Tablet in your room this is another great tool.  This app allows for two students to draw on a digital whiteboard space at the same time.  Once again collaborating and working together on a project.  https://syncpadapp.com/

Kagan Structures = This is a cooperative learning program that is not technology based, but is founded on the principals of cooperative learning.  It is designed in a way to help make cooperative learning so deeply embedded that it becomes routine for the teacher to use it and the students to participate in it.  It is also designed to work with any curriculum in any classroom. If you have never heard of it I recommend you check out their site at http://www.kaganonline.com/index.php

Edmodo = This is a great tool too!  It is essentially an educational facebook.  It allows teachers and students to collaborate in an online environment.  It allows for teachers to post questions, and for students to respond to the comments.  It also allow for poll questions and more.  This can be a great first step into collaboration and cooperation in a digital environment.  https://www.edmodo.com/

                No matter the tool you decide to use, Web 2.0, the read and write web is transforming the capabilities of the classroom (Laureate Education Inc., 2011).  Communication and cooperation for the purpose of learning and achieving are essential skills that students will need throughout life (Pitler, Hubble, & Kuhn. 2012).  Additionally, they can help bring creativity and fun back to the classroom that is overrun by testing.

Resources

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program eight: Social learning theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that

            works (2^nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.