Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice - Week 5

The follow link is to the VoiceThread that I created this week https://voicethread.com/#thread/7512297/40447768. The topic I chose to discuss is collaboration and communication among faculty. This has become a major problem as my school has grown from K-4 school to now a K-8 school over the past 5 years. It also does not help that we have had turn over in administration each year and more than half of the staff is new this year. Thanks for viewing and I look forward to your feedback!

Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice

An extremely useful instructional strategy for the classroom is that of cooperative learning. Cooperative learning focuses on the meaningful interactions between students working in groups to enhance their learning (Pitler, Hubbell & Kuhn, 2012). Student motivation is increased with cooperative learning, as students tend to buy in more to the lesson, not only for themselves but for their peers as well (Pitler, et al., 2012)

                 Cooperative learning is an instructional strategy that falls perfectly in line with the social learning theory. The social learning theory places an emphasis on the significance of culture and context in understanding and constructing knowledge (Orey, 2001). Dr. Orey (Laureate Education, n.d.) states that by working together and teaching others, students can develop a deeper understanding of the content they are learning.

Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Social learning theories [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author

Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Main_Page

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.