The idea behind social learning is that the students construct meaning not only from the information they are getting, but who they are getting the information from and how they receive the information. So in this week's resources there were several ideas presented on how to reach students this way.
Kids love playing on MySpace and Facebook type sites and do much of their communication with each other outside of school with these type of social networking sites. To take advantage of that fact the idea is to use similar technologies (like web quests or multiplayer simulation games) to teach them. These teaching strategies go right along with the priniples of social learing because the students are learning from their peers in a social setting, not simply absorbing information being presented by the teacher.
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Hi Ben,
ReplyDeleteMy students are on MySpace and Facebook everyday. What I try to teach them in class is how to conduct themselves when online. Many of our students are so used to texting and using MySpace and Facebook, that they bring those tactics into the classroom. I always explain to them that it is good for them to interact with their peers, but please make sure they respect themselves as well as their peers.
I hear my students talk about Facebook and MySoace very frequently and they talk about them with excitement. I think they would be just as excited to use some of these other social learning tools like webquests, wikis, blogs, voice threads, interactive games, etc. I know my students are bored with paper and pencil activities. There are great on-line tools that can be used in all content areas -- their uses are endless and they keep students actively engaged as they interact with others.
ReplyDeleteHi Ben,
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas about using multiplayer simulation games. There are many acceptable games available to meet various content area needs. It is a great to learn and have fun at the same time.
Ray Rust
It seems that the majority of my students' conversations with peers occur through cell phone texting or sites such as MySpace and Facebook. In a previous course, we had an assignment to create a podcast. While interviewing my students, one young lady told me she preferred texting to talking face-to-face or even phone calls. I'm sure that's true for many students her age. She also used a phrase I had not heard before. According to her, people who spent most of their free time on the computer are "mouse potatoes".
ReplyDeleteSocializing on-line does not replace personal interaction. Students do not learn the importance of eye contact, facial expressions, or body language. Every student will, at some point, have a one-on-one interview with a person who has some control over the next phase of their lives, such as college admission or employment. Although the Internet makes it possible to communicate with people around the world, our students still need to develop "people" skills to be successful.
I know that the students will spend many hours on facebook and My Space. To be able to incorporate learning that would be similar to these and encourage social learning would be great. I have difficulty getting students to agree to study 15 minutes a night. When you have them using the computer to studey with each other, would it increase their study time? That is something that I would like to try.
ReplyDelete