Module 3 Collaboration
Do you believe that humans have a basic instinct to “interact and work as a group,” as Rheingold proposed in his discussion of the evolution of Wikipedia as a collectively developed encyclopedia?
Yes, I believe humans do have the natural instinct to work together in groups, but if the instinct is not cultured and nurtured. Then I also feel they can lose that instinct. I feel this is the same instinct mothers and fathers have for their children. I also feel if a human hears a baby crying they have the instinct to go and see what is wrong. If the child needs help everyone will work together to help the child. In addition, how many times have you heard of a wreck and a stranger saving the life of the person in the car? There are so many times we hear of people working together for the common good of America and other countries. So yes, humans do have a basic instinct to interact and work as a group.
I remember many years ago when a child fell down a well, baby Jessica. How many people worked together to save this child? We were all glad the child survived. This is just one example of the instinct of humans. This past year we had tornados in Virginia, and people came from all over the country to help the people, so I say one more time, yes we as humans do have the instinct to work as a group.
How can technology facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principles?
The way technology can facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principles is through wikis, blogs, Skype, discussion boards and google docs. By using these types of programs students and peers can collaborate on assignment, as well as edit their peer’s assignment. In addition, by using blogs, learners can get a better understanding of topics they might not understand as well as give their opinion on what they are learning or on something they know about.
Find a current research study that has been conducted in the last 5 years that supports collaboration as an effective tool for learning. Include the link and reference for this study in your blog.
This article is taken from Eric using Walden Library.
Trentin, G. G. (2009). Using a Wiki to Evaluate Individual Contribution to a Collaborative Learning Project. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 25(1), 43-55. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bf63e60a-1feb-4bbc-b9c3-a73e5364c53a%40sessionmgr10&vid=8&hid=19
Lou,
ReplyDeleteYou make a very interesting point,"but if the instinct is not cultured and nurtured. Then I also feel they can lose that instinct."
It is important to examine the purpose of the collaboration. Not all collaborative efforts are made for the good of humanity.
Great examples of technologies that lend themselves to Constructivism. Your post cites blogs specifically as a way for students to share their ideas. How would you use wikis? Do you have a preference of which is successful with students you know?
ReplyDeleteResponse to Micah
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about the use of wikis in my classroom, and I have decided this coming school year I am going to use them during group activity. I want to help the students set up wikis and show them how they can may changes on the wikis as a group.