Cooperative learning and Social Learning Theory

Well, it has been an interesting week to say the least! Massive winter storms ripped through my small community in central Ohio and did some real damage. Most of the homes in the community were without power for 3-6 days and school was canceled three days in a row. It was a nice break, but not having power made it very dull and very cold. You will be happy to know that my power was finally restored this morning and the first thing that I want to do is send some time blogging! This week I am asked to correlate how cooperative learning relates to the constructs of social learning theory. After reading the chapter ‘Cooperative Learning’ in the text Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works I found many similarities to the social learning theory.

What is the focus of cooperative learning? The text states that “…cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). As a teacher I find this to be the core of cooperative learning; that students will work together towards some common goal. Students in my class are often involved in cooperative learning situations. From small groups to groups organized on ability level I constantly try to utilize all that cooperative learning has to offer. “When students work in cooperative groups, they make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). I try to use cooperative learning in a way that will present my students with tasks that they will need to approach from multiple angles to solve. In this ways the students need the help of their peers to see the problem from a fresh perspective.

I also enjoyed the chapter’s approach to incorporating technology into cooperative learning. The text states, “Technology can play a unique and vital role in cooperative learning by facilitating group collaboration, providing structure for group tasks, and by allowing members of a group to communicate even if they are not working face to face” (Pittler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Incorporating technolgooy is crucial for future success for our students as is cooperative learning. I found the section of the text focused on webquests o be especially useful. I often incorporate webquests in my classroom, but never in a collaborative setting, so I am excited to use this instructional technique.

I believe that the strongest link between social learning theory and cooperative learning is that both find their basis in the idea that students need to work together to learn. I would say that cooperative learning is the perfect tool to apply the social learning theory. Social learning theory pushes the idea that true learning takes place only when the student has the opportunity to learn and interact in a social setting. Cooperative learning gives the students the opportunity to work in an environment that is conducive to what the social learning theory stresses as crucial.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA:ASCD