Humans are social creatures. This does not suddenly change when students enter the classroom. Social learning theorists believe that we construct knowledge and understand the world around us, based on the interactions we have with others. We depend on others to guide us from what we already know, towards the information we are ready t0 learn. Each individual brings to the classroom their own personal context and culture with which they construct knowledge and understanding of the world around them (Laureate, 2009). Collectively a classroom full of children presents a wide spectrum of "experts" whose diverse strengths can contribute so much to learning as a whole. The United States of America, our country, is a fine example of that idea. Our motto, "e pluribus unum", "out of many, one", speaks loud and clear of the advantages that come from many different people, from many different backgrounds, working together toward constructing a common goal.
Educators have been using instructional strategies based on social learning theories for several years now. The jigsaw puzzle, numbered heads together, literacy teams, etc. are all wonderful examples of some of these strategies. How does technology fits in? The advances in communication, simulation, and the read/write web (Web 2.0), have brought the ability to interact and learn together to a whole new level. Even though I sit here alone in front of my computer, I have the ability to contact my friends, family, co-workers, classmates, world renowned experts, international peers.......I could go on and on. Most importantly, I can not only communicate with them but I can also learn with them by collaborating on projects over millions of miles. It is really amazing to think about. Overwhelming at times.
That is what brings me to a concern for utilizing these tools in the classroom. How do you focus students on the content so that they do not get easily distracted by the social aspect of many of these resources? As I explored many of our listed resources this week I found myself easily drawn away from my main purpose there (how to use it in my classroom). I was instead checking out what everyone else was doing and saying. Some resources kept me under better restraint than others but I feel it is something to consider when using them with students. I always complain about the filter system placed on our school network, but I can see how opening some sites can become a temptation to socially learn about topics not directly tied to the school curriculum. We are only human.....
Finally, I found George Siemens theory of Connectivism very interesting (Laureate, 2009). It seems to me as though in the future it will not be as important what we know, but instead knowing how to access it. I don't know about you but it conjures many Sci-fi movie images into my head. Excuse me...do you mind if I interface with your network a while? There are some benefits to being so interconnected as illustrated in this commercial.
Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Social learning theories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Ed., Inc.
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You are right that having a diverse group of students can only add to the learning experience because each child has something unique to offer. I love how you connected that to our country's diversity as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is awe-inspiring and sometimes overwhelming how easily we can communicate with others from all around the world. It makes the world seem much smaller in ways. It also offers benefits because sometimes we would not be able to communicate with those people otherwise.
Karen, I love your graphic for this one. Reminds me of art in high school!
ReplyDeleteYour reference to the motto, "e pluribus unum" makes much sense when applied to the social learning theory. It is true that technology has brought social learning to higher levels. But has it hindered it as well? Sometimes I feel students in middle and high school as well as adults use their cell phone texting capabilities more often than they converse with one another. Are we hindering some aspects of social learning with technology?
Karen,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about humans being social creatures. Most students love working collaboratively, and why not? It's fun, makes the task easier with more people working on it, and the time usually passes quickly because they are so engaged in what they are doing. I do find it rather odd how teachers employ the strategies of cooperative learning because they understand the learning potential when students are given the opportunity to collaboratively construct meaning, yet teachers themselves are often isolated in their classrooms with little opportunity to collaborate with peers at their own school.
As far as keeping students focused on the content verses the social aspect, they might need a little exploration time with new resources just like we give them time to play with new manipulatives before beginning the lesson.