I believe that cooperative learning must take place in today’s classrooms. Students must learn to collaborate and work together to accomplish a common goal. In the future our youth will need to be prepared to function in a fast-paced world full of changes, technology, and individuals with unique ideas. My students must understand what it means to complete tasks while sharing ideas, respecting each group member’s individuality, and working in a civilized manner.
Technology plays an important role in cooperative learning, because if facilitates group collaboration, provides structure for group tasks, and allows member of groups to communicate even if they are not working face to face (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Using technology prepares students to become lifelong learners.
As a teacher of fifth grade students, I find myself being drawn to several of the instructional strategies using technology and social learning. Working in small groups allows for a "knowledgable other" to be present, everyone possessing responsible, and group consequences given for unacceptable work. My only concern is having the time to teach my students how to use the various types of multimedia- Voice Thread, podcasting… Working in a small school district has some disadvantages. We have three computer labs, but the labs are scheduled with classrooms throughout the day. An open computer lab does not always connect with my rotation times. My ultimate dream would be to have several laptops that could be used within my classroom, along with the four classroom computers I currently have. Unfortunately, this is not an option at this time. I am looking for ideas. Any suggestions?
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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Keep using Michelle to your advantage! I heard she helped you out today!
ReplyDeleteI understand your time concerns. What do you usually do during lab time? Could you take one day a week to do a group lesson and show examples and give directions? Could you teach a few students and let them teach it to others? Ahhhh, there's that cooperative learning again! It's all about being social!
Erin,
ReplyDeleteIt has been great working with colleagues who have experience using some of the same technology as me. Michelle had her laptop in school and allowed my students to use it to record comments on Voice Thread. I really wanted my students to experince Voice Thread and see what their reaction was. They loved it!
As for computer lab time, I may consider using a few students to help me teach others. I usually have a very small class during this time, because many of my students meet with a reading specialist. Thanks for the advice.