Module (3) Blog Post
Collaboration
First, Mr. Howard Rheingold is a flasher dresser. The speaker explains how the use of technology and the Internet have provided opportunities for students to use collaboration in meaningful learning experiences. Students are given the opportunity to become engaged in their educational experience. Constructivists believe that social interactions are imperative in cognitive development. Rheingold proposes the network structure developed by the Internet enhanced communication and sharing of different types of resources. I strongly agree with his assessment. Learners can receive instant feedback and immediate results through collaboration according to Rheingold, 2008.
Do you believe that humans have a basic instinct to “interact and work as a group,” as Rheingold proposed in his discussion of the evolution of Wikipedia as a collectively developed encyclopedia?
Individuals in our society are constantly communicating with other through social networking sites, and they are forming groups. Some of these groups have a positive affect, and some of these groups have a negative impact. Facebook is a great example of a collaborative site that has individuals in groups and provides collaboration. It seems to be addictive, some people are always logging onto social networking sites while driving, shopping, at home, at school, and numerous other places. It was comical when my grandson wanted to talk with me on facebook. I had to quickly remind him that it is against the law for children under thirteen to be on facebook. In accordance with Bernhard, multi-age groups occurrs naturally in our world (Bernhard, 1988). Personally, I believe that humans do have a basic instinct to interact and work as a group. People have an innate sense of wanting to belong to an accepted group.
My first thoughts about Wikipedia are: it is a great informative website that provides a vast amount of information, and it is a website that is not accepted by many as a credible site. For example, Walden does not want any references from Wikipedia. Personally, I don’t understand why Wikipedia would not be considered a valuable resource.
How can technology facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principles?
Constructivist instruction emphasizes problem solving, critical thinking, reasoning, and evaluation (Driscoll, 2005). Technologies such as wikis, Google documents, emails, Skype, and blogs are some of the technological tools that would facilitate collaboration based on constructivist principles. My second grade students love to use online game playing that is standard based. However, students must have training to learn how to use these tools effectively. Technology is so advanced in this era, many students are ready to use these tools to collaborate with other students in a standard based learning environment. Specific pedagogical benefits of collaborative learning include the following: development of critical thinking skills, co-creation of knowledge and meaning, reflection, and transformation learning (Palloff & Pratt, 2005).
Find a current research study that has been conducted in the last 5 years that supports collaboration as an effective tool for learning. Include the link and reference for this study in your blog.
Creating Effective Collaborative Learning Groups in an Online Environment is the topic of this current research conducted in 2009. The URL to this article is http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/675/1271. Conclusions were drawn from observations that assessments were positive due to the effectiveness of small collaborative learning groups in online classes or in an online learning environment. Collaboration increased the sense of community, increased skill knowledge, and better responses to learning experiences.
References:
Bernhard, J. G. (1988). Primates in the classroom: An evolutionary perspective on children’s education. Amherst: The University of Massachusetts Press.
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed). Boston MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2005). Collaborating online: Learning together in community. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Rheingold, H. (2008, February). Howard Rehingold on collaboration. Vodcast posted to http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html
I have responded to Cheryl Carroll, Michelle Baylor, and Curtiss Vavra.
I have responded to Cheryl Carroll, Michelle Baylor, and Curtiss Vavra.
Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI immediately concur with your observation that Mr. Rheingold is a flashy dresser. The orange (?) suit he was wearing really sets him out from the crowd!
Collaborative learning via the Internet is an interesting phenomenon. Before the Internet, most learning took place in formalized contexts. Either it took place in a clasroom with a well defined hierarchical structureor in informal groups in one's immediate geopraphical location. With the advent of the Internet and the connectedness that comes with it, the collaborative possibilities are multiplied almost exponentially. I can have a conversation with an amazing number of people on the planet.
Wikipedia is one of my favorite sites on the Internet. It really brings forth my inner geek! I can understand why Walden would not want Wikipedia used as a source for scholarly writing, especially at the doctoral level. The reliability of the information could be called into question if used in a literature search or other writing piece. I do think that Wikipedia is useful for other types of writing at the undergraduate level. I believe Wikipedia has rules and enough self-regulation now to be considered pretty reliable as a credible information source.
Curt
Hi Curt,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you appreciated my light hearted comment. Collaboration via Internet is an interesting concept that is catching on like wild fire. Actually, I love the concept, and I have learned so much through my Walden experience.
Wikipedia has a wealth of information; I am so surprised that Walden does not accept it as a valid cite. We have learned early on that we have to determine whether sources or sites are credible or non-credible. Personally, I like Wikipedia.
Sandra
Hi Sandra,
ReplyDeleteI pulled up several other sites pertaining to Rheingold and found that his dress must be his trademark. He has a collection of outfits! I loved the comment you made. I was thiking the same thing. I thought he did a very nice job of bringing us through the development of collaboration beginning with story of hunters and how they had to work together in order to hunt for the higher game. I feel our desire for commuication is something we have been equiped with since the beginning of time. It is amazing how far we have evolved over time. As inventions continue to grow and develop across all disciplines, communication has surpased all of our expectations. When I was a young girl in school, I thought my little classroom was all there was. I could have never imagined connecting with other children across the world through technology.
Debra