According to the article Social
Learning Theory; An Overview of Bandura’s Social Learning Theory people can
learn new information and behaviors by watching other people. Think back to your childhood, did you watch a
parent and act like they did or if you are a parent, did your child ever say a
phrase that you said when you were mad without fully understanding it? If so, then you have experienced social
learning. This week this course took a closer look at
the concepts of cooperative learning and the Social Learning Theory. These two ideologies focus on the role of
interaction between students and others in the classroom and how cooperative
tasks can provide for a positive and lasting learning experience.
I really agree with the idea that
students learn from each other and by working together to build an
artifact. There are a number of ways in
which our students can use technology and collaboration to build understanding
of content. Some examples are given in
the course text Using Technology with
Classroom Instruction that Works such as creating a video project,
webquests and the creation of a website.
Projects such as those listed above are a great way for students to work
with each other to form understanding.
Dr. Orey states that through collaboration students are able t to bounce
ideas off of each other, get validation
from each other for good ideas and encouragement as the attempt to complete the
assignment (Laureate, 2010). As digital
natives our youth must be able to use the technology they have grown up with
and be prepared to apply that to the larger global world that we now live in. Teachers can help prepare students for such a
difficult task by creating learning opportunities that embrace the social
learning theory. When this is done and
done well, our students will not only be prepared for the demands of ever
changing technology but they will also be comfortable in a work environment in
which collaboration will be paramount.
In social learning theory Albert
Bandura (1977) states behavior is learned from the environment through the
process of observational learning.
The concept of observational learning is very much a part of today’s
classroom. Teachers who embrace the
opportunity for their students to learn from one another as they create an
artifact are not only creating meaningful learning in the classroom, but
preparing their students for success beyond the walls of the school in the real
world.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010a).
[Webcast]. Social learning theories.
Baltimore:
Laureate Media.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010b).
[Webcast]. Connectivism as a learning
theory. Baltimore: Laureate
Media.
McLeod, S. A. (2011). Simply Psychology; Bandura | Social
Learning Theory. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/bandura.html
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K.
(2007). Using technology with classroom
instruction
that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.