Connectivism and Social Learning in Practice (APP5)

I often hear teachers complaining, "My students talk too much!" or "What a chatty bunch!" or "They won't shut-up!" If they would accept the theory of social learning, they would have the ideal class. However, I cannot attempt to say this better than the original theorist has already so eloquently put into words:

"Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do. Fortunately, most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action."
-Albert Bandura, Social Learning Theory, 1977

One of the basic assumptions of Bandura's Social Learning Theory or Social Constructivism is, "MEANINGFUL learning occurs when individuals are engaged in social activities". What better place than school for students to experience BOTH meaningful learning and social activities? School is a primary source of students' social interactions.

Once teachers embrace social learning, there are instructional strategies and technologies that they can use to combine learning and socializing. Here are just a few that are listed in this week's resources:

Not only was I able to communicate with my students, but they were also communicating with each other. I just created ePals accounts for my students the last quarter of this school year, so they were my guinea pigs. I set very few requirements about what their emails included, so they were very informal and friendly. I did show them how to store files, so they have their writing pieces from this year to carry on to middle school. Epals also provides discussion forums, projects, and worldwide penpals. Epals is totally safe and allows for the moderator to preview and accept/decline each email message. I am excited for how I can use email next year to encourage more writing with my students.

Blogs are effective communication tools that allow students to post, read, and discuss a wide variety of topics and/or issues. I "tested" blogs with this year's students as well. Instead of a lengthy post that they would not enjoy reading, I asked simple review questions. The experience was pleasant for all, and I am excited about the potential for blogs with group collaboration within content areas.

del.icio.us.com is social bookmarking site that can be used to facilitate collaboration. It allows users to create a list of websites and saves them in one location. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski(2007) referred to the amount of time teachers wasted by creating favorite lists on each classroom computer. With del.icio.us.com, teachers will save time by allowing their students to access the premade list. It could also be used amoung students who are working on a project. If they are working away from school, this website would provide access to their favorited list of websites from anywhere.

These are just a few of the webtools that can be used to facilitate collaboration among students. It is just one way that teachers can redirect and engage their chatty students! How great would it be to hear students discussing a blog or a new website from their bookmarking site?!