Cooperative learning is an important aspect of the social learning theory. It is defined as students working together to attain group goals that cannot be obtained by working alone or competitively (Palmer, Peters, & Streetman, 2003, p. 2). Cooperative learning enables students to discuss and validate their work, and to see their peers as valuable resources. Dr. Michael Orey stated that in traditional classrooms, students can articulate what has been taught, but have no idea how to apply that information. There are a variety of strategies teachers can apply when using cooperative learning to enable students to make those connections between the lesson itself and real world applications. My students consistently work in groups to strengthen their expressive and receptive skills with American Sign Language.
One strategy that really caught my interest was to have the students create a website. The example in the book was about a class that researched a city and created a website to present the information they learned about that city. I plan on taking that idea and using it to have my students create a city for Deaf people. It will be interesting to see what they come up with, making sure to use all the knowledge they have about Deaf culture.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author
Palmer, G., Peters, R., & Streetman, R. (2003). Cooperative learning. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved January 29, 2010, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/eppltt/index.php?title=Cooperative_Learning
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I have noticed with my students that cooperative learning is a skill that my students need to learn how to use. The more I use it in my classrooms the more productive it has become. I think the internet or technology can provide many ways for students to continually work in groups and work on their communication skills.
ReplyDeleteJenna,
ReplyDeleteWhat activities do you do with your students?
My beginning students seem to enjoy going to lifeprint.com to practice their fingerspelling.
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI'd really like to know how your website project turns out. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun for your students. I teach web design, but am still intriqued by the sites/software that were listed in the book. I use Dreamweaver when designing websites, but I think the main objective is learning the material using something different. Good luck with your project!
Matt
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea. I worked with a group of deaf folks a few years ago and had seen the closeness and the support within the deaf community.
It would be great for people to see that the deaf community is just like any other social community. They have dinners, parties and more important they are a close knit group.
Please let me know when the website is done, I would love to look at it and maybe share it with my students.
Jodie
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteYour project sounds very interesting and something the students will be motivated to create. Please share it with us when it's finished. It will be interesting to see how they incorporate visuals without having the benefit of utilizing audio.
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI have my students in base groups so that they can cooperatively work on their homework every day. As the year goes on they are getting better and better at working in groups. It is also becoming more productive.