I feel in this day and age, 'Cooperative Learning' has been brought to a whole new level! How exciting! I am so glad I decided on my Master's in Technology, because now that I see all the endless possibilities that are available to me (and for free), I am so excited to begin next year!
This week, we focused on VoiceThread... which is outstanding. After viewing the sites and videos directed to VoiceThread, the possibilities truly sound endless. In the video I saw young students putting their artwork and other pictures that were interesting to them, on the site, and adding their own voice! This is extremely interactive and it is on their level with their thoughts. It allows the student to connect their prior knowledge to their existing (possibly new) knowledge.
We can also use other multimedia projects as cooperative learning. I like how Ms. Ortiz organized her classroom into groups and had specific goals and tasks for each day, leading up to the final project (movie). She gave guided, direct instruction, in a way that promoted group discussion and learning. "The class works in small groups of three or four to create short movies focused on curricular topics. She creates a chart like the one shown in Figure 7.2 as an advance organizer to guide students in the process and assigns each student two or three of the responsibilities" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). She gives them the freedom to choose what/how they will create their movie, but she also is there for any help and guidance.
This type of project sounds wonderful to me. What do you think? I think it truly promotes higher-level thinking and uses cooperative learning to a full extent!
Resources:
Pitler, P., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Virginia: ASCD.
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Leah,
ReplyDeleteI am as excited as you are about completing my masters in technology. My students get so excited when I share something new with them like a new computer program or website for them to use. Their excitement with learning new things makes me more excited to share new things with them!
I think VoiceThread is so easy to use and it is great for all students, younger and older. I know that my second graders, after doing some modeling, would be able to take pictures and add recordings to them. I especially like the feature of being able to delete and re-record when needed. I, like you, also think that VoiceThread is an excellent way to incorporate cooperative learning in the classroom. I like the idea of creating the movies, too.
Elizabeth
I was also thinking this would be a great way to make 'sub plans'. I know many times teachers tend to put on movies or say to 'complete the chapter review', but with voice thread, you can be in your classroom without being in your classroom!
ReplyDeleteIt may not work so well with 2nd graders because you teach all of the subjects, but it may work for a few subjects!
Leah,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for a sub plan. I never thought of that! For the younger grades it would be a great filler activity for rainy days as well.
Robin