Social learning surely promotes learning from each other. We learn from communicating with each other. I learn so much more explaining something myself than actually sitting in a class and listening. I believe the students learn when they have a chance themselves to teach it to another student or group of students. Adding technology to the mix just helps make it even better. Not only can I have them work in groups in my class, they can now work at home together. The internet has made it so much easier to stay connected with someone. The students can go home respond to my blog and then respond to each other offering up helpful hints and adding to what each student already has.
Students are learning the information a different way, they are working on their social skills, and working on technology skills. It is a win, win, win in my book.
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If you think about it, we are a perfect example of this social networking technology to help educate students. Using technological resources such as blogs helps students nation-wide to develop ideas and share comments with one another on a given topic. It is a wonderful aspect of the educational world we are living in...
ReplyDeleteMr. Brewer,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right in that there are so many benefits to adding technology to the social learning practices. In a previous class I took with Walden we focused heavily on the 21st century skills students need to be successful in today's culture. The social skills, technology skills and collaboration that you mention are a major component of the essential 21st century skills. We're not only creating a more engaging class we are preparing them for the work force in the 21st century.
Mr. Brewer,
ReplyDeleteI know our students appreciate when we structure lessons that allow them to learn things in a new way. When learning is novel and exciting it makes it much easier for our students to engaged in the learning process.
Mr. Brewer,
ReplyDeleteI agree that you internalize the concepts best when you are able to explain or teach them to someone else. And working in cooperative groupings does ensure this. I like how you mentioned that you set up cooperative assignments on the internet. I'm sure that the students enjoy being able to utilize one of their favorite activities to complete a homework assignment.