“There
has been a great deal of speculation about the impact of social networking site
use on people’s social lives, and much of it has centered on the possibility
that these sites are hurting users’ relationships and pushing them away from
participating in the world,” said Keith Hampton, a sociologist from the
University of Pennsylvania. This quote
appeared in a 2011 article from Smithsonian Magazine (Gambino, 2011). According to the article, many fear that
technology is actually causing many people to spend more time with a computer
than with their friends and family. What
the article goes on to conclude is that in spite of appearances, social media technologies
are actually allowing society to interact in an even greater capacity.
What then, is the relevance of this article
to theories on social learning? The
Social Learning Theory, espoused by Lev Vygotsky, states that students learn by
actively engaging in the construction of artifacts and through conversations
with others. This learning is maximized
when student work is within the parameters of their Zone of Proximal
Development (ZPD), the range in which learning is more likely to occur. Coupled with the student’s ZPD, the student’s
level of success will be even greater if there is a More Knowledgeable Other
(MKO) involved in the process. The MKO
could be a peer, a teacher, or some other individual who works with or assists
the student to reach success (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a).
Many of the learning activities that support
the Social Learning Theory involve the interaction of learners. Those interactions could be in the form of
cooperative learning activities, the Jigsaw lesson structure, or through web
2.0 technologies. Students thrive on
interaction and these activities support that need for social connections.
In chapter 7 of the book, Using Technology
with Classroom Instruction that Works, the instructional strategy of cooperative learning was described (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Along with suggested steps to take for
implementing this strategy in the classroom were rubrics for evaluating student
contributions and even suggested Web Quests or other collaborative tools to
consider for use. The chapter was
thorough in its directions about what to do prior to, during, and after
implementation of this strategy.
Connections or links to social learning were made evident. Students would be interacting within assigned
groups to create specific tasks. The
tasks would be of an appropriate level for the participants and all of the
group members would be serving as MKOs for their fellow members.
Connectivism was
also discussed this week. This learning
theory states that knowledge resides in the patterns of how concepts are
networked and that learning is what occurs when students form networks of
information. Because the world of
education contains a vast amount of information that often complex in nature,
systems for organizing the data must be developed. The connections must be nurtured and
maintained. Technology helps to
facilitate this process (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011b).
Blogs and Wikis
help students collaborate on projects and assignments. Voice Threads allow for the expression of
ideas visually, through sound, and or through text. Face Time, Skype, and Web Cams allow
participants to see the people with whom they are interacting who may be
located halfway around the world.
Students have access to content and people that they may never been
exposed to before. Cooperative learning,
collaboration, and connectivist-style lessons can take place with the person in
the next seat or with someone in another country. Nevertheless, social learning strategies are
still being utilized.
Now, let’s get
back to the article that started this blog post. While it may appear to the casual observer
that many students today are isolating themselves behind a computer and
avoiding society, the opposite effect is actually occurring. Students are increasing their knowledge base
and life experiences through social interactions. Students are discussing topics that are
pertinent to the current events of the day.
First-hand accounts of news events are being witnessed. Students are connecting with people from
other localities and are able to complete educational or life tasks with the
click of a button. Social learning is a
preferred learning style for many students, and is one that is not going to
leave from the educational scene any time soon.
The sooner educators and administrators embrace this fact, the easier it
will be for students to make those social connections that are so important to
their academic success.
References
Gambino, M. (2011, July 11). How Technology Makes Us Better Social Beings.
Smithsonian Magazine. History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places |
Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved October 4, 2012, fromGambino, M. (2011, July 11). How Technology Makes Us Better Social Beings.
Smithsonian Magazine. History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places |
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/How-Technology-Makes-Us-
Better-Social-Beings.html
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011a). Program eight: Social learning
theories [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology.
Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011b). Program nine: Connectivism as a
learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction
and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?
CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with
classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
A Voice Thread is one tool that students can use to assist them in
the social learning process. Through the
venue of a Voice Thread, students can post videos, photographs, and or
illustrations. Sound recordings and text
comments can be added to increase the conversations between participants. As students view the slides, they can post
their responses and continue the learning process.
The Voice Thread example that I have included below is one that
will be used by my Virginia History students.
In this particular Voice Thread, pieces from a larger illustration are
revealed. As each piece is added to the
puzzle, the students should think like historians—they should determine what is
evident in the picture and then what can be deduced or inferred from the
contents. Students make predictions as
to what they think they are observing.
As new pieces are shown, the students evaluate their predictions,
revising them as needed. Once the “big
picture” is revealed, the students will be asked to make connections between
this component and the topic that is going to be studied in the new history
unit.
Please feel free to comment on
each piece of the puzzle and see if your predictions are correct.
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteI really agree with your last paragraph. I think that cooperative learning is going to become the norm in today's classroom especially if technology can be properly integrated. I think we all use social learning techniques but most of us are not aware of how much of an impact it can play.
My students ask, almost on a daily basis, "Can we work in groups for ...". For the most part, they like working with one another and are learning exponentially from the interactions that they are having. Sometimes the learning is based on academics, and at other times, it is social in nature. Students will be working with others when they reach adulthood. If they do not start learning those interaction skills now, they will not be effective later.
DeleteYes, I too think that when students use the computer "they are increasing their knowledge base and life experience through social interactions". Students today are becoming more familiar with technology than ever before and it amazes me how naturally it comes to most children. Every time I have a problem with my Promethean board or iPod, there is always at least one student that can help. I love it! I think that making learning meaningful for students is so important and necessary to keep them engaged. When we, as educators, use more of the Read/Write Web, it will keep students learning in exciting ways!
ReplyDeleteI have had the same experience that you described with students having more technology knowledge than me. We had just recently received some new laptops for the classroom and they were different from the previous model and operating system. While I was proficient with the older models, some of my students were very versed with the new style and program. I assigned those students the task of helping their classmates (and I watched and learned right along with them.)
DeleteTechnology is helping my students to see and learn about events that would have been very foreign to them in the past. I am grateful for the opportunities that they are now able to have courtesy of today's technology tools.
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteWhat you mention about how society view the use of technology today is so true. A lot of bashing of social learning media is done moreso by the elders in society. No matter what you do they would always resist change. They need to be educated about the advantages that technology could have. Technology has allowed me to communicate with my family members overseas on a regular basis. It could be every week, every day, minute of second. So I am never feeling out of touch. For students all we have to do is to monitor them as they use their social media networks.