Activity 1:

Please read the following scenarios and then answer the question provided.

Kevin’s Story

Kevin, a media production manager, was uncertain of his ability to understand the functioning of a very rich software system. He decided to call upon two more technically inclined colleagues, David and Gene, to walk him through the system. During their discussion, David periodically said, “See, here is how we set up a way for the users to talk with one another.” Gene sometimes said, “See, that part needs tweaking – we will find the code and make some changes.” One time Kevin said, “It can’t be done. We have a problem.” But then Gene said, “We’re fine – I remember being told that we could pool sets of questions and generate tests.” Back and forth, the three debated. While Gene read the manual and made suggestions, Kevin searched the system, until David yelled, “There it is.” The job completed was in time for Kevin to give the whole company a demo that same day (Adapted from Goldberg, 2002).

Green and Red Cards

During the end of a national nonprofit organization’s conference, Joe was in charge of leading the final Q&A session between the executive board and roughly 2,000 conference participants. Although he was initially hesistant about runnning the session, Joe decided to reuse a process that he had learned at a conference the previous year. Each participant entering the session room was handed one green card and one red card. Whenever anyone spoke, a green card held up meant “My question is being answered.” A red card meant “Keep talking, I am not satisfied yet that my question is being answered.” Questions were collected on paper and organized by Joe before the session started. Joe read a question and then invited a member of the executive board to the stage to provide an answer. As each answer was given, the participants held up their green and red cards. The executive kept talking until only green cards could be seen. (Adapted from Goldberg, 2002)

Each of these stories tells you something about a process in which several individuals come together to interact: to share their know-how, to teach one another, to learn something new. In each case, the group dynamic has properties that do not exist in any one individual. Looking for such stories helps us uncover and then exchange techniques to build similarly effective group dynamics (Goldberg, 2002).

Can you think of a group work experience in which you felt the cognition was distributed?

Activity 2:

Based on information from this week’s readings and the presentation, write down your own thoughts about social learning theories.

1) Go to www.glogster.com.  Log in using the username “ETEC512” and the password “glogster.”  After logging in, glogster will re-direct you to your dashboard.   If a pop-up appears that reads, “You haven’t authorized your e-mail yet,” click on the “X” to close the pop-up. Then, click on “Hi ETEC 512” on the top right hand corner of the page to access the glog.  Now, contribute your thoughts about social approaches to learning onto the glog.

Glogster Design Instructions (Referenced from Jefferson Forest High School Library Media Center www.bedford.k12.va.us/jfhs/lmc/glogster%20instructions.pdf)

How to insert text:
·Click on Text on the menu.
·Choose a text box that fits your glog’s design.
·To insert the text, click the “Use it!” button.

How to insert images/audio/video:
·Click the upload icon.
·Upload the file to glogster. For images, you can add a frame by clicking “add a
frame,” and for audio or video, you can choose the player button by clicking
“add a player.”

Don’t forget to click on “save and publish” before you leave the Glogster website.

2) Check the glog periodically throughout the week to see how the glog changes and develops as everyone make contributions.

3) How did your understanding of social approaches to learning change as the glog developed?

4) Please post your response to the Blackboard discussion forum called “Social Approaches to Learning.”

Activity 3:

In comparison with previous learning theories that we’ve studied, what are some advantages of and limitations to the social learning theories that we’ve discussed this week?

Please post your response to the Blackboard discussion forum called “Social Approaches to Learning.”

Activity 4:

How do you see yourself implementing social approaches to learning in your future teacher practices?

Please post your response to the Blackboard discussion forum called “Social Approaches to Learning.”

 

References:

Activity #1:

Goldberg, A. “Collaborative Software Engineering.” Journal of Object Technology, 1 (2002): 1-2. Retrieved on October 29, 2011, at: http://www.jot.fm/issues/issue_2002_05/column1/column1.pdf

Red card green card photo: available on line at: thementalelf.net