Cooperative Learning

Cooperative learning is an instructional strategy that is part of the Social Learning theory. According to the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, “cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in a ways that enhance their learning (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, 2012, p. 73). This strategy has students working together, teaching each other, helping each other, to learn and create a product. This type of learning leans itself very well to technology. Using multimedia in cooperative groups can involve making videos, animations and websites. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn state that this “is a complex task that requires many roles and responsibilities…By nature, both multimedia projects and cooperative leaning groups require attention to detail in the planning process.” (2012, p.75). Students can build websites or use different sites, such as wikis, Facebook to collaborate. Another type of activity that works well with cooperative groups is WebQuests. These are “inquiry-based activities that allow students in a class or multiple locations to work together to learn about a particular subject or to tackle a particular project or problem.”(Pitler et al. 2012, p.83). WebQuests are very structured and “are designed to use learners’ time well, to focus on using information rather than looking for it, and to support learners’ thinking at the levels of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation (Pitler et al. 2012, p.83). They require students to think critically and increase depth of knowledge. Web-enabled multiplayer simulation games use human interaction inside a game. “Gaming simulation is an interactive learning environment that makes it possible to cope with complex authentic situations that are close to reality. At the same time, gaming simulation represents a form of cooperative learning through teamwork” (Pitler et al. 2012, p.84). The possibilities for learning with these types of learning are endless. Two other multimedia items that can be used in cooperative learning are shared bookmarking and course management programs. Shared boo marking sites allow a person to set up an account and bookmark websites in one place that can be accessed from any device that has internet access. Cooperative groups can use such sites to bookmark sites for their projects and categorize them. (Pitler et al. 2012, p.86). Anyone who has taking an online course has used some form of course management program, such as Blackboard. These sites are set up by teachers and are used to access information about a class, submit projects, and can be used for corporative learning. These sites have areas for learners to interact and collaborate on projects. Below I have Voice Thread I made to use in one of my classes. Voice thread is an online conversation that incorporates video, pictures, and people. It allows people to cooperate on projects from anywhere they have internet access. The project I have created is for one of my 4th grade classes. Enjoy!