Unit 1: Collaborative Learning and the Classroom
Course Homepage: Collaborative Learning with Technology
Unit 1: Collaborative Learning and the Classroom
Materials:
- A word processing program to take notes and complete assignments
Course Objectives:
- The educator will create a rationale for collaborative learning by using information based on Constructivist teachings to support their rationale.
- The educator will be able to demonstrate the importance of collaborative learning by participating in a discussion about how collaboration is or can be used in the classroom.
Lecture
- Why do we collaborate? The simplest of answers is so that we may learn new ideas from others. The Constructivist view of education is learner centered, focusing on problems and topics that have relevance and interest to the learner. In addition, knowledge formation in constructivism is formed from students’ interactions and ability to make sense of their experiences to build knowledge. In essence this is collaboration which occurs anytime we turn to another source to learn something. Read the following excerpt from Bransford’s How People Learn regarding collaborative learning:
- “Outside the classroom, much learning and problem solving takes place as individuals engage with each other, inquire with those of skills and expertise, and use resources and tools that are available in the surrounding environment. The benefits of this “distributed cognition” are tapped inside the classroom when students work collaboratively on problems or projects, learning from each others’ insights, and clarifying their own thinking through articulation and argument (Vye et al., 1998). Some research indicates that group problem solving is superior to individual problem solving (e.g., Eans 1989; Newstead and Evans 1995), and that developmental changes in cognition can be generated from peer argumentation (Goldman, 1994; Habermans, 1990; Kuhn, 1991; Moshman, 1995a, 1995b; Salmon and Zeitz, 1995; Youniss and Damon 1992) and peer interaction (Dimant and Bearison, 1991; Kobayashi, 1994). For these reasons, the community centered classroom Described in chapter 1, in which students learn from each other can have substantial benefits.” Bransford et al. 2000
- Clearly, collaboration has firm roots in education. Think about a time where you were involved in collaboration. What did you learn? How did you interact with others? Interaction with others is a key component to collaboration. It is important to be understanding of others views and ideas which may not be what you normally would agree with. In addition, it is important to know that in collaboration it is ok to disagree, the purpose is to develop new learning. The highest level of Blooms Taxonomy is Synthesis, creating a new understanding based on two different understandings causes learners to use thinking skills to bring them to the synthesis level.
- Collaboration can take many different forms. Activities such as students working in a group to complete a problem set can foster collaboration. Discussions are another excellent form of collaboration; they can be synchronous face to face or chat room type or asynchronous discussion through message boards or programs such as Knowledge Forum. Knowledge Forum is a program which allows users to post questions or comments about topics and reorganize the ideas as they go to form new knowledge. In the next unit we will take some time to look at Knowledge Forum and other programs.
- There are several conditions that allow for effective collaboration. The grouping, assignment, and avenue for communication all play major roles in making the collaboration effective. As we will discuss in later units communication in collaboration can go beyond simple face to face communication to including technology. Read the article “Conditions for Effective Collaboration.” Conditions for Effective Collaboration. Take notes of the factors that must be considered to create effective collaboration.
Videos
For each video read the prompt and reflect in your notes.
Watch this video for a quick overview of Cooperative Learning
In the following video notice the difference between the individual and group readiness tests. Which test do you think will yield better outcomes? Why?
Individual Work Vs. Group Work
Discussion
In the Discussion Area post a question or comment that relates to the discussion question. Please respond to the comments of at least two others as well as all of those who respond to you.
In what ways have you seen or used collaboration in your classroom? Was it successful? Why or why not? OR if you have not used collaboration in the classroom: In what ways can you see yourself using collaboration in the classroom?
Reflection
Take some time to reflect on the following in your notes:
- Based on your experiences in the discussion was this collaborative learning?
- What elements were present that support your answer?
- What did you learn about collaboration that will help improve your practice?
Assessment
Based on your knowledge of constructivism and other educational principals develop a rationale for using collaboration in the classroom.
Sumbit your assignment via email to xxxxxxxx@albany.edu
Once you have completed all the tasks for Unit 1 proceed to the next unit.