Cooperative Learning

Cooperative Learning is a vital tool to use in today’s 21st Century classroom. Now more than ever students have an increasingly higher role in collaboration than ever before because of the demands society places on students today. Cooperative Learning is a strategy that encourages small groups of students to work together on a particular task in order to maximize student potential meanwhile gaining positive social interaction. Through the uses of technology teachers can provides a variety of opportunities where cooperative learning can occur. This week we explored the world of utilizing VoiceThreads. What an incredible way for students to create and share their information while utilizing some of the most up to date technology out there. This technology is also not limited to just one classroom. Because it is web based it can be shared across the globe. This is definitely an excellent tool to be used even with very young students like my kindergartners. With guidance my students can teach other students how to build something or maybe put something in sequential order. This can be shared and other classrooms and they can teach us something in return. Just the mere fact that my students can see their images and hear their own voice instantly gets them engaged. I think it also shows students that they can be leaders and teachers as well. I do not always have to be the only one teaching. They can teach each other many things. Dr. Orey did state that “Teaching others helps the learner develop a deeper understanding of the content.” Orey 2008). This is so true and even my kindergartners can participate in this valuable experience.