Tomas Friedman quotes "we are living in a time when learning and innovation are increasingly global. To be prepared for the fast-paced, virtual workplace that they will inherit, today's students need to be able to learn and produce cooperatively" (2005). With that idea in mind, I have fully embraced the idea of utilizing various forms of educational technology to aid the social learning process. And to top it off, I'm pretty pumped about it!
I remember when I was a student in ninth grade, one of my favorite assignments was a group project in which we had to create a video illustrating our view on the effects of media and the human mind. We all did our research, came together to discuss our findings, and cooperative created a video with a camcorder and index cards for on-screen text that we were really proud of at the time. This is a prime example of social constructivism and social learning.
Looking back on this video, which I still have by the way, I can only imagine how much better it would have looked if we recorded it on a digital video camera, inserted titles and texts with our computer, and maybe even added some special effects digitally. These multimedia upgrades allow students to produce a better looking product in only a fraction of the time.
A more global form of social learning which is becoming easier by the day is the creation of student websites. Programs like Microsoft Office Publisher, TOWeb, and SiteSpinner can allow even the most novice of students to create a professional looking website. Students can easily collaborate their ideas to construct a worthwhile artifact.
Even gaming has taken a form of social learning. Games and websites such as www.homesofourown.org, www.jigsaw.com, and even Sid Meier's Civilization III allow students to work cooperatively to accomplish a common goal, thus emphasizing social learning. The best part is, just about everything I have mentioned is at the fingertips of all our students in our very own classroom. The possibilities are endless and with a steady stream of Web 2.0 applications like VoiceThread developing everyday, its only going to get more and more global and educational.
Check out a VoiceThread I made about how students can use VoiceThread to create presentations at voicethread.com/share/786134/.
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Carman,
ReplyDeleteIt is those projects like the one you did in 8th grade that we remember forever. I spend a lot of mental energy as a teacher trying to come up with projects like this that will create true interactive experiences for my students. Technology is making planning for things like this much easier. I immediately started getting ideas for how to use voicethread.
Bhandymd,
ReplyDeleteI started generating ideas for VoiceThread as well. I brought up this application to my assistant principle and he was very intrigued and is looking into getting a school subscription for us!
Carmen,
ReplyDeleteI tried to view your voicethread. It would not allow me. Check the list for viewing. I will check back to view.