ICT and Cooperative Learning
Cooperative learning, often called collaborative learning is ‘one of the most researched teaching strategies of recent times’ (Killen, 2009). It is the ‘process of group interactions, skill development, social learning and management of an environment’ (Churchill et al., 2011). Computer-assisted cooperative learning occurs when the instructional use of computers is combined with the use of cooperative learning groups.
Research has found that computer-assisted cooperative learning can promote greater achievement, more relative student interaction, higher performance, application and problem-solving than ‘normal’ cooperative learning (Killen, 2009). Throughout this unit, students will be engaging in computer-assisted cooperative learning through the use of student safe web logs (blogs). Students will collaborate with other members of the class by blogging about and commenting on various topics and student ideas throughout the the unit.
This idea has been adapted from The Collaboration Corner Blog which has been successfully implemented by an Australian teacher whose class blogs with students in California. This type of learning is classified as social constructivism, a theory by Lev Vygotsky which emphasises the social aspect of learning. If Vygotsky is correct and children develop in social or group settings, the use of technology to connect rather than separate students from one another would be very appropriate use (Chen, n.d.).
Research has found that computer-assisted cooperative learning can promote greater achievement, more relative student interaction, higher performance, application and problem-solving than ‘normal’ cooperative learning (Killen, 2009). Throughout this unit, students will be engaging in computer-assisted cooperative learning through the use of student safe web logs (blogs). Students will collaborate with other members of the class by blogging about and commenting on various topics and student ideas throughout the the unit.
This idea has been adapted from The Collaboration Corner Blog which has been successfully implemented by an Australian teacher whose class blogs with students in California. This type of learning is classified as social constructivism, a theory by Lev Vygotsky which emphasises the social aspect of learning. If Vygotsky is correct and children develop in social or group settings, the use of technology to connect rather than separate students from one another would be very appropriate use (Chen, n.d.).
Chen, A. (n.d.) Social
Constructivist Theories. Retrieved from http://viking.coe.uh.edu/~ichen/ebook/et-it/social.htm
Churchill, R., Ferguson, P., Godinho, S., Johnson, N. F., Keddie, A., Letts, W., Mackay, J., McGill, M., Moss, J., Nagel, M. C., Nicholson, P., & Vick, M. (2011). Teaching; Making a difference. Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons.
Killen, R. (2009). Effective Teaching Strategies: Lessons from research and practice (5th ed.). Melbourne, Vic: Cengage Learning.
Churchill, R., Ferguson, P., Godinho, S., Johnson, N. F., Keddie, A., Letts, W., Mackay, J., McGill, M., Moss, J., Nagel, M. C., Nicholson, P., & Vick, M. (2011). Teaching; Making a difference. Milton, QLD: John Wiley & Sons.
Killen, R. (2009). Effective Teaching Strategies: Lessons from research and practice (5th ed.). Melbourne, Vic: Cengage Learning.