Ever since learning about collaborative learning in educational psychology courses it has fascinated me. I try to incorporate scaffolding and collaboration during my instruction as often as possible because I notice that my students understand concepts better when they learn from each other. Are you able to incorporate collaborative learning into your instruction? If so, do you notice an improvement in student understanding when you do?
Hi Gail! I try to incorporate collaborative learning into my instruction as possible. It is a little difficult at the place where I currently teach because there is such a wide range of cognitive and mental abilities but I try my hardest because I truly believe that it makes a difference. When I taught 3rd grade, my students LOVED to work and complete projects in groups. Their desks were set up in tables to encourage discussion (related to the current topics of course;) and each day they would participate in at least 1 collaborative project. Some of these include book group or during science experiments. You are correct in that they understand better when they learn collaboratively :)
Collaboration has really made an impact on the new educational initiatives, just look at how we all PLC together as teachers. What types of collaboration do you use with your kids?
Because I don't teach in a "traditional" classroom at the moment, I'm going to pretend like I do and answer as if I was teaching in an elementary setting :) I would use a variety of collaborative learning tools with my students. I would use something as simple as grouping their desks together to promote constructive discussion about topics we are learning about throughout the day. I would incorporate several online tools into my instruction to reinforce topics and encourage interaction! (I should preface that in my dream classroom, technology is plentiful and readily available so each student would have their own tablet ;). I would try to use Google Drive whenever possible because of the ease of use and cloud syncing. I would use apps like Popplet, Educreations, Voice Thread, and other Web 2.0 applications to keep my students motivated and interested in what I'm teaching. The options are endless :)
I think everyone's "dream classroom" has plenty of technology readily available. I know mine would. Being able to regularly use the apps that you mentioned in a more active way than just displaying them on the SmartBoard would be incredible, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be the norm one day.
I'm an absolute nut for collaborative projects, but I don't think I could make them work half as well without the digital tools available today. I've been tutoring two of my younger cousins during the summer break. We're currently using Skype for face to face meetings and Google Drive so that we can edit their English work together in real time. Even though they lives hours away, we can hop on at any time and get some real work done without losing the benefits of being in the same room. What's better is that they each have their own computer, so they have the chance to edit each other or type at the same time. I've found that they've turned our sessions into a competition to see who can point out more of the other's mistakes. Collaboration at its best!
I definitely think that collaborative environments are a very important part of a students' learning process. However, I am honestly scared to see what will happen when it goes online. I think that having the content online will be easier for students to work separately at home (on the same project) but it also allows for students to easily get off task if working during class time. Take Google Docs for example. I know that if I was a student who had access to google docs I would just share a page with my friend so we could write messages back and forth to each other all class period long. Management is going to be key.
I have always been a huge fan of collaboration as both a student and a teacher. I think having online collaboration in these virtual learning environments will just continue to encourage and motivate students to complete assignments, learn more about their topics and technology in the process, and most importantly help students learn management skills that go hand in hand with collaboration. When doing google drive projects, students are able to have live instant feedback from peers or other editors involved in the process which teaches them organization skills and time management skills.
Ever since learning about collaborative learning in educational psychology courses it has fascinated me. I try to incorporate scaffolding and collaboration during my instruction as often as possible because I notice that my students understand concepts better when they learn from each other. Are you able to incorporate collaborative learning into your instruction? If so, do you notice an improvement in student understanding when you do?
ReplyDeleteHi Gail! I try to incorporate collaborative learning into my instruction as possible. It is a little difficult at the place where I currently teach because there is such a wide range of cognitive and mental abilities but I try my hardest because I truly believe that it makes a difference. When I taught 3rd grade, my students LOVED to work and complete projects in groups. Their desks were set up in tables to encourage discussion (related to the current topics of course;) and each day they would participate in at least 1 collaborative project. Some of these include book group or during science experiments. You are correct in that they understand better when they learn collaboratively :)
DeleteCollaboration has really made an impact on the new educational initiatives, just look at how we all PLC together as teachers. What types of collaboration do you use with your kids?
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Grace!
DeleteBecause I don't teach in a "traditional" classroom at the moment, I'm going to pretend like I do and answer as if I was teaching in an elementary setting :) I would use a variety of collaborative learning tools with my students. I would use something as simple as grouping their desks together to promote constructive discussion about topics we are learning about throughout the day. I would incorporate several online tools into my instruction to reinforce topics and encourage interaction! (I should preface that in my dream classroom, technology is plentiful and readily available so each student would have their own tablet ;). I would try to use Google Drive whenever possible because of the ease of use and cloud syncing. I would use apps like Popplet, Educreations, Voice Thread, and other Web 2.0 applications to keep my students motivated and interested in what I'm teaching. The options are endless :)
I think everyone's "dream classroom" has plenty of technology readily available. I know mine would. Being able to regularly use the apps that you mentioned in a more active way than just displaying them on the SmartBoard would be incredible, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be the norm one day.
DeleteI'm an absolute nut for collaborative projects, but I don't think I could make them work half as well without the digital tools available today. I've been tutoring two of my younger cousins during the summer break. We're currently using Skype for face to face meetings and Google Drive so that we can edit their English work together in real time. Even though they lives hours away, we can hop on at any time and get some real work done without losing the benefits of being in the same room. What's better is that they each have their own computer, so they have the chance to edit each other or type at the same time. I've found that they've turned our sessions into a competition to see who can point out more of the other's mistakes. Collaboration at its best!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that collaborative environments are a very important part of a students' learning process. However, I am honestly scared to see what will happen when it goes online. I think that having the content online will be easier for students to work separately at home (on the same project) but it also allows for students to easily get off task if working during class time. Take Google Docs for example. I know that if I was a student who had access to google docs I would just share a page with my friend so we could write messages back and forth to each other all class period long. Management is going to be key.
ReplyDeleteI have always been a huge fan of collaboration as both a student and a teacher. I think having online collaboration in these virtual learning environments will just continue to encourage and motivate students to complete assignments, learn more about their topics and technology in the process, and most importantly help students learn management skills that go hand in hand with collaboration. When doing google drive projects, students are able to have live instant feedback from peers or other editors involved in the process which teaches them organization skills and time management skills.
ReplyDelete