EDLD+5364+Week+4

Week 4 included more information about implementing technology in the classroom and that a "cookie-cutter" classroom is no longer going to work. Classes need to be viewed as a location where all students can learn something and perhaps in very different ways. According to Pitler et.al, "...cooperative learning focuses on having students interact with each other in groups in ways that enhance their learning" (139). Also, this week included generalizations about cooperative learning that included how to organize groups and that the cooperative learning should not be overused (139). I believe that teachers tend to oput students in groups or require cooperative learning but without an end in mind or a goal. Students learning is limited because of this and individual work is not taking place. I believe that if overused, cooperative learning groups will lead to hard workers and slackers.

"Technology can play a unique and vital role in cooperative learning..." (Pitler et. al, 140). By using different forms of technology along with cooperative learning, the results for both students and teacher will be beneficial and I believe that the students will learn more and be better able to apply to the world they live in. A science experiment might have more meaning if they can see the events that occur around them. For example, if they know the difference between a physical and a chemical change through experiments and they know about something going on in their community, will it have more of an impact on them? I believe it will. Students will be better able to make connections and become lifelong learners.

Pitler, Howard, Elizabeth R. Hubbell, Matt Kuhn, and Kim Malenoski. //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works//. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2000.