Thursday, February 4, 2010
Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice
Social learning has become a large part of instruction now days. Whether we realize or not, we all use social learning in one way or the other. In my classroom, I think it is important for the students to learn from each other. Even as a teacher, I learn from my students every day. Several of my students' assignments are completed in cooperative learning groups. Especially at the young age of 5 and 6, it is important for students to learn to work together. In the real world, we have co workers and we must work with them and come up with solutions in a presentable manner. When working together, students learn to be leaders and followers. This also allows my students an opportunity to work on their social skills.
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As a newer teacher who spent more than 20 years in the business, I agree with you that students learn life skills by working in cooperative learning groups. Too often students feel they can accomplish what they need to in a 'vacuum' or a 'bubble', or don't want to work in a certain group because it is not with their friends. This is not how it works in the real world, and we would be doing them a disservice by teaching them otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI love that you said "I learn from my students every day". I also feel this way! I tell my students all the time that we learn from each other. In my class we complete several of our assignments in cooperative learning groups as well because it allows my higher achieving students to share what they learned and guide their partner through the work. This builds confidence and social skills for all students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that students need to work in cooperative learning groups in order to work on their social skills. I notice this as my kids go throughout the year in fifth grade. At the beginning of the year, they get along with each other, but by the end of the year, their hormones are kicking in and they are suddenly not friends with everyone. It is important for them to realize that they need to work and get along with everyone, even if it is not their best friend.
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