Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Let's Learn Together, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!!!

This week we read about collaborative learning in Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works and we were suppose to relate our learning to the Social Learning theory. I definitely think that the strategies that were discussed in the text, align directly with social learning. Having students collaborate and work together on projects allows the students to bounce ideas off each other, teach each other, and work out problems through discussion. In today's society students have to learn how to collaborate and learn from others.

I really like the Jigsaw strategy and have used it before in my class. Students really like feeling like they are the expert and teaching other what they know. It also helps to break up the information to the groups and they can choose how they teach their part. Students use different vocabulary that sometimes make it easier for the others to learn from them.

I like to use collaborative groups in my class, sometimes it is very difficult because several of my students do not work well with others. I think it is important to keep using these groups so all the students have to practice skills that should be used in social settings.

3 comments:

  1. Jennifer,
    I think that when out students feel like the are the "expert" on something that really boosts their self confidence. I also think when you and I mix our classes together to do group projects it adds a new and exciting spin on social learning. Students always seem to enjoy working with other classes and peers that they don't get to work with on a regular basis.

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  2. Jennifer,
    I also liked reading about the jigsaw strategy and think that it is awesome you implement this in your classroom. I was wondering if you avoid grouping certain students who do not get along well, or keep challenging them to work together and work through their differences? I have this same problem in Physical Education and have tried both ways. I have learned that it all depends on the students' willingness to try and work together. For example, I paired two girls who did not like each other on the same team and challenged them to get along and play together on the same team. By the end of the sport unit, they were good friends. However, I also tried the same situation with a different two students and they were at each others throats arguing the whole time. I tried numerous interventions and strategies, but these two students just did not like each other. In the end, they just agreed to disagree and not talk to each other, unless it was nice. I feel bad for these type of students who already feel this strongly toward another student at the elementary level.

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  3. Courtney,
    I do avoid grouping certain students because a war may start. I also teach inclusion so I have several special ed. children, I have to make sure I group them with a patient student who is higher level so they can help the other student. I have two students who can't seem to get along with anyone so I float them around so one student doesn't always get stuck with them.

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