I believe that this week's collaborative resources suggested in the book Using Technology With Classroom Instruction that Works are very valuable to the cooperative learning theory. I was really impressed with the Revolution game! My class is actually getting ready to discuss the American Revolution and I think this would be a wonderful way to impress upon the students the decisions everyone involved had to make. I also love that each person in my class can take on a character and play each other interactively.
I was also impressed with Dr. Orey's suggestion of Jigsaw learning. I explored the Jigsaw.org website this afternoon and while it was not interactive as I expected, it did give some great ideas of incorporating social learning into a classroom. This is really nothing new to experienced teachers. In fact, I suggested it to my student teacher for next week's vocabulary lesson. She thought it was a really cool idea!
I love that kids love working together and learning from each other. I believe if the teacher sets it up properly on the front end, there shouldn't be too many problems once the students get started. It is a great way to learn and have fun!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
"It's Shake N' Bake and I Helped!"
Posted by Stephanie at 7:21 PM
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7 comments:
Stephanie,
How are you going to have your students participate in the Revolution game? Are you going to check out the COW or use the computer lab as a whole class assignment? Or are you going to try and span it out over the course of a week or two? I thought that this was a really cool idea especially since our students all love playing video games. I will be curious to see how it works out and how your kids do on the test afterwards.
Well, I had thought about doing it up in the computer lab, but you have to download the game. Right now I have 5 laptops checked out from the COW. I thought I might let them work on it in small groups. I also considered giving extra credit for playing at home. I think they are going to LOVE it! It's like playing the SIMS.
Stephanie,
You could do what you said and allow them to work on it in small groups. You could make it a competition between the groups. In addition to that you can include a virtual field trip.
I agree that it is wonderful to have students working together. One thing that we as educators must make sure of is that students do their fair share of the work. I know that with some of my third graders they will allow everyone else do the work. When this occurs the students do not benefit from working with one another.
Julie,
I agree that it is important to make sure everyone in the group to participate. I like to give each student in the group a job so they contribute equally.
Stephanie,
I like the Jigsaw strategy also. I have used it in years past to teach content in S.S., science, and reading vocab. What do you do when you have a student or two that can not seem to work with anyone?
Stephanie,
I also really like the Jigsaw strategy! I too love to have my students working together and learning from one another. The key to sucessful jigsaw learning is exactly what you mentioned....setting it all up on the front end. Typically if my activities fail it is because I did not do enough work on the front end.
Becoming part of history is such a fabulous learning tool. Role playing is something that engages children and it also gives many of them an outlet to express themselves. I remember having to give a speech as an abolitionist in high school. Taking on that role was something I still remember. I wonder if the Revolution game will allow your students to submerse themselves in the history to gain a better grasp on what the Revolution was all about.
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