This week in class, we are investigating the impact that socialization has on learning. Social Learning Theory, as described by Dr. Orey, is based upon the belief that learning occurs when students are engaging in the construction of artifacts as well as conversing with others (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a). I personally agree with Dr. Orey. Independently, children cannot progress as well as when social interaction is involved. After all, what good is speech without conversation?
Technology can play a big role in allowing meaningful collaboration and social networking to occur. Students can share ideas and understandings with others easily through the use of a blog. Wikis allow students to work in cooperative groups and construct a learning artifact that represents the understanding of the group as a whole. WebQuests are another form of technology that enables collaboration. The students are given a task in which they work together to complete. VoiceThread is a form of technology that can be created independently or as a group and allows for ideas to be shared with others through comments left by the viewers (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011b). Social bookmarking sites allow students to collaborate through the sharing of valuable resources. Students can share sites that include information that helped them gain a deeper understanding of a certain topic. Through social networking and collaboration, students become more knowledgeable as they share their understanding with their peers (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).
Dr. Orey referred to Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development. This is what the child should be able to learn at this time in their life (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Sometimes children need the help of a more knowledgeable other in order to understand something. Social networking and collaboration allows this to happen. As the child's understanding increases, they move up in their Zone of Proximal Development and are able to learn more as a result (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a). Without social interaction, the child may not have been able to progress and would have remained at a lower level.
Technology can play a big role in allowing meaningful collaboration and social networking to occur. Students can share ideas and understandings with others easily through the use of a blog. Wikis allow students to work in cooperative groups and construct a learning artifact that represents the understanding of the group as a whole. WebQuests are another form of technology that enables collaboration. The students are given a task in which they work together to complete. VoiceThread is a form of technology that can be created independently or as a group and allows for ideas to be shared with others through comments left by the viewers (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011b). Social bookmarking sites allow students to collaborate through the sharing of valuable resources. Students can share sites that include information that helped them gain a deeper understanding of a certain topic. Through social networking and collaboration, students become more knowledgeable as they share their understanding with their peers (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).
Dr. Orey referred to Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development. This is what the child should be able to learn at this time in their life (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Sometimes children need the help of a more knowledgeable other in order to understand something. Social networking and collaboration allows this to happen. As the child's understanding increases, they move up in their Zone of Proximal Development and are able to learn more as a result (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a). Without social interaction, the child may not have been able to progress and would have remained at a lower level.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011a). 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
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011b). Program ten: Spotlight on technology: VoiceThread [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
Pitler H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
My VoiceThread on Cell Phones in the Classroom
Thomas,
ReplyDeleteYou and I think very much alike. I agree that social interactions are necessary for children to progress. Technology has opened so many doors for teachers to communicate with their students and visa versa, and students to collaborate with each other. Your examples of how technology could be used with collaboration and social networking in mind were clear and accurate. Which of these technology do you currently use in your classroom?
Janet,
ReplyDeleteI am currently using all of them. I have recently began to use WebQuest a lot more than I have in the past do to having iPads in my classroom. But prior to that I have used all of these technologies multiple times. I even use social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. It just seems like everything in our world today revolves around social interaction, and it would be foolish of use to not use it in our classrooms.