In almost every facet of the working world, collaboration and support is needed in come form to acheive an objective. Whether that means running for political office or cultivating student growth, social learning is essential for success in the real world.
"Cooperative learning is when students work together to attain group goals that cannot be obtained by working alone or competitively" (Palmer, Peters, and Streetman, 2001.) This statement expresses the notion that students and teachers alike are not an island, where learning isn't to be only internalized by the student without any interaction whatsoever from others, but in fact, should be discussed and debated among their peers.
A key part of today's efforts to branch cooperative learning and technology is the use of Web 2.0 tools. These tools such as blogging, wikis and video chats enable users to collaborate on a digital level thus creating a world for them to flourish in because these tools are encouraged in the real-world setting. (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007).
One particular practice that I like to use when incorporating cooperative learning groups in my class is a tool for actually getting them into groups: I pass out slips of paper that are cut into various sizes that used to be pictures and students must find the pieces that fit their particular picture. A jigsaw puzzle essentially, but students use the warm up as a way to review class rules and procedures before beginning the activity when they are in groups.
References
Palmer, G., Peters, R., & Streetman, R. (2003). Cooperative learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved November 29, 2010, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteI appreciated your enthusiasm around cooperative learning. After reading your blog, I began to reconsider ways to use cooperative learning to reach at-risk students or even students who are struggling with anxiety and school. Many of these students begin to lose time for various reasons and begin to fall further and further behind, which exacerbates the anxiety issue. I wonder if the use of a virtual classroom with cooperative learning activities would be a way to help these students begin to find their way back to school. Even if they cannot attend, perhaps they can at least continue to access the classroom through Skype feeds. They can continue to be a part of classroom and interact with their peers.
I also really liked your jigsaw activity as way to warm your students up for class. My students always enjoyed brief challenges that helped them get the “juices flowing”. I will try your jigsaw and share it with some of our other special education teachers.