The meaning of the social learning theory is based upon students learning cooperatively. It is our job as educators to make sure that our students are prepared for the future. Pitler, Hubbel, & Kuhn best stated that, “To be prepared for the fast-paced, virtual workplaces that they will inherit, today’s students need to be able to learn and produce cooperatively” (2007). To support students learning cooperatively, teachers should create assignments that reinforce positive reinforcement, face-to-face, promotive interaction, individual and group accountability, interdependent and small-group skills, and group processing.
Dr. Michael Orey gave a great example of multimedia in a social learning approach using the jigsaw strategy (Laureate Education Inc., 2009). Students can work in small groups to create a PowerPoint presentation about a topic such as famous authors. Students will split into groups of five, each student studying a different author. The students would split up into different small groups based up on the authors they are studying, to work collaboratively to research the author using technology tools. The students would then collaborate by returning to their original groups to share their information and create a PowerPoint presentation about the authors. This strategy teaches students to problem solve together learn from what each group member has to contribute. They must trust each other’s research and work together to make decisions for the PowerPoint.
With the amount of technology that is available to students today, they can collaborate using the internet, with other students in their school, expects of specific content knowledge, and people all over the world. A WebQuest is a great social learning tool that students can learn from on the internet. They are inquiry-oriented activities where students from different places can cooperate to create a project or solve a problem. Providing links to supplemental resources allows the students to learn from multiple sources and learn in many different ways.
In order for students to learn based on the social learning theory, they must learn cooperatively. The students must understand that they can help each other learn and motivate each other. Keeping open communication and working together will create meaningful experiences to provide a deeper understanding for students.
References
Laureate Education Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program 8. Social learning theory [Motion Picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Hi Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteGreat post, you have great insight for a third year teacher and great ideas. Have you ever used photostory? It can be downloaded for free, my students like it more than powerpoint. With this program they can talk into a headset and then the slides have their voice---and music in the background.
I also believe if students start working cooperatively in groups at a young age, they are more likely to respect their peers.
Hi Tiffany!
ReplyDeleteSocial Learning theory makes sense since in almost every job you must work to solve problems cooperatively with others. Orey's example of using the jigsaw activity is a perfect example of the benefits of this approach. Students not only learn their independent research, but then they must synthesize all of the information provided by the group to produce evidence of their learning. This seems much more meaningful to me than traditional paper/pencil activities and tests.
Tammy,
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of Photostory, but it sounds like a fun idea! Thanks for the suggestion!
Kristen,
I am being transfered to teach Pre-K this year and I am trying to be creative in the ways that I can integrate technology into my classroom. I am getting a Promethean board which I plan to use frequently. Do you have any suggestions for how I could integrate research with them since they can not read? I want to teach them how to look at different things on the internet with guidance from myself or my parapro.
Tiffany
Hi Tiffany, I can understand your dilemma in getting students motivated to do their homework. In addition to incentives in my class, I find that there is a need for me to explain and convince students the need of doing their homework. Usually I am lucky that when I do this to my class as a whole majority of them are Okay with it. Then students who are more stubborn, I attend to them on a weekly basis highlighting to them the link between classwork and homework and how they could do classwork better if they complete their homework on their own. I find this working well with majority of the students though I must admit, it does not work with ALL students.
ReplyDelete