Cooperative Learning and Technology Integration

In today’s classroom the emphasis is no longer on teacher-directed instructed; it is on student-centered learning. Another important aspect of the classroom is the integration of technology to enhance student learning. Research over both is significantly increasing, which makes understanding the positive outcomes of implementing the two strategies imperative for educators. As most educators are aware, the key element to a pupil’s success lies in their motivation to achieve goals and be successful pupils; therefore by combining both student-centered learning strategies, such as cooperative learning and technology integration, student learning can be positively impacted.

One way to incorporate both cooperative learning and technology integration into the classroom setting is through the use of Web 2.0 technologies, such as wikis, blogs, and podcasts. “Web 2.0 technologies introduce a new dimension to education, which becomes not just learner centered but learner centered as learners are the joint generators of content”, states Bose. In today’s society student use of technology is on the rise which makes harnessing this interest for educational purposes inevitable. Web 2.0 tools are ideal for educational purposes because they support spontaneous interaction, feedback, and social networks and relationships (Bose, 2010).

A study conducted at the University of Eastern Finland supports the use of technology and cooperative learning. During the study biology pupils used laptops and wiki-environments to scaffold collaborative learning and participation in laboratory-like work. Throughout this study pupils worked collaboratively in cooperative group settings to prepare a fish and modeled it in the wiki-environment using digital came...

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...ocial Constructivism. Paper presented at the National Seminar on Technology Enhanced Collaboration for Improving Quality of Education at Elementary Level.

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Sadik, A. (2008). Digital Storytelling: A Meaningful Technology-Integrated Approach for Engaged Student Learning. Educational Technology Research Development, 56, 487-506.

Vesisenaho, M., Valtonen, T., Kukkonen, J., Havu-Nuutinen, S., Hartikainen, A., & Karkkainen, S. (2010). Blended Learning with Everyday Technologies to Activate Students’ Collaborative Learning. Science Education International, 21(4), 272-283

Wang, J., & Fang, Y. (2005). Benefits of Cooperative Learning in Weblog Networks. Online Submission, Retrieved from EBSCOhost.