Journal 9: Collaborative Learning- NETS V

Bickley, M., & Carleton, J. (2009). Global collaborative learning connects school to the real world. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(3), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/NovemberNo3/students_without_borders.htm

Through the use of technology teachers are able to engage their students in more meaningful, real-life subject matter. Global collaborative learning makes it possible for students to be connected from communities all across the world. There are organizations like International Education Resource Network (iEARN) and TakingITGlobal that enables students to communicate across countries. Students involved in collaborative technology programs work together to solve problems and to learn from each others’ perspectives. Using collaborative learning lets students learn about the world from first hand perspectives; not through reading about world issues through the newspaper or through textbooks. Students can learn about important world issues like war, natural disasters, and segregated education from students that are actually living through the experiences. Two such projects that students collaborate on are the Machinto Project and the My Hero project.

The Machinto Project allows school children across the world to participate by creating their own personal picture book and then publish it to the Machinto website. This collaborative project is facilitating school children to learn about war, peace, and friendship in a truly engaging way. Students that participate in this project are able to learn about the world around them through discussions; not through a lecture prepared by their teacher.

Another project students have the opportunity to participate in online is the My Hero project. This project enables students to write essays about the heroes in their lives on their own website. People across the world can then go to their website and read about their hero. Not only are students able to share about their hero but they are creating a website about that hero. This website includes pictures, Web links, essays, and other relevant information.

Is this a tool I would use in my classroom?

This is definitely a tool that I would employ in my own classroom. I think that students will better retain the information learned through this collaborative learning than they would from reading the material from a text book. I think it is exciting that students have the opportunity to learn from other students in different countries.

Are there any potential limitations to collaborative learning?

As wonderful as collaborative learning is, it might not be completely realistic. Some schools may not have the necessary tools and resources available in the classroom to make it possible for all students to participate. There is the hope that schools will have the tools needed so that all students can be included in such innovative and beneficial learning.