As I was listening to Dr. Orey and George Siemens discuss the implication of social learning theory and thinking about how I could apply it to my classroom- I became very excited. This model allows us permission to escape the monotony of students silently sitting in their desks while a teacher lectures. It opens up a new world for the students to grow and experience their new found knowledge.
I believe that constructivism and constuctionism go hand in hand with social learning theory. It would be almost unimaginable to have students create something without the social aspect being involved. I believe that students naturally need to debrief and share what they learn as another tool to better conceptualizing it for themselves. Further, social learning theory more closely parallels real life. Many times teachers discuss preparing students for the "real world" as one of their learning objectives. However, in very rare instances will students be working in isolation, independently trying to problem solve. In the "real world" students need to learn to work with others, they need to accept the group result, and have to learn to manage their interpersonal skills.
For our science labs, my students have groups that they work with throughout the experiment. Every person has an individual role that they are responsible for but collectively students also earn a grade. This is often a very trying experience for the kids, but I feel it is essential for their personal and academic growth. The more students can learn to work together, the better overall project they will produce. Social learning theory allows students to operate in a classroom setting resembling a real world experience and therefore best prepares students for their future.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010a). Program Eight. Social Constructivism. [Webcast]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Kim, B. (2001). Social Constructivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved February 1, 2011, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Nice post. I like what you said about students working in groups to solve a problem rather than working independently or in isolation. I wonder about how you assign grades to a group because I know there isn't really a perfect way to do this.
ReplyDeleteBill
I think that what you said about students learning to work with others in important. However, as a teacher, I feel that I am mostly working alone. I am glad I am taking this course, because it really helps me feel the support from classmates. But, I wonder how many teachers could be even better with a little collaboration.
ReplyDeleteMissy
I appreciate what you said about students need to learn to accept group grades. If we are going to adopt the social learning theory as one that most closely mimics real life, then we have to be willing to give group assessments. There have been a lot of comments this week from people who do not like the idea. I understand their concern to a point, but I believe that we have to find a fair and effective way to assign group grades. In real life, whether we like it or not, students will be judged as a group. I see it as another opportunity to prepare students. - Bryan Horn
ReplyDeleteThank you for all your comments. Sometimes the right decision for the classroom is not always the easiest or the most well liked. Group grades are certainly a point of contention for my students (and parents). However, I am very clear with my expectations and have a thorough rubric which defines exactly what I expect and how the student can achieve their grade. My stance is that in real life, you have to work together and however I can better prepare my students for the realities of life, the better off they will be in the long run.
ReplyDeleteOur teachers in my school collaborate quite and bit and it is very effective and helpful.
Katie
I really appreciated your post. I really enjoy how you talk about collaboration in the classroom. I also am a science teacher and use a lot of groups on experiments or kit labs. Do you use science journals? I find them useful when they are making products and thus constructionist learning theory is used. What do you think?
ReplyDelete