Cooperative Learning in the 21st Century - 12/13/09

Cooperative learning has been done for years. It seems it has come and gone and come again over the years. It has pretty much been abolished at some schools because of TAKS some teachers say. I know in my district is alive and well and that we refused to let it go even though we had to "teach to the test". Teachers got together to figure out ways to use cooperative grouping and TAKS together.

With all the new Web 2.0 tools to use cooperative grouping is even more exciting. Businesses use cooperative work skills all the time. They do video conferencing and telephone conferencing and expect people to work together from across the world. Why not teach our kids how to work together online. Google, in my opinion, is one of the best sites to collaborate within. It has calendars, documents, wikis, blogs, sites that can all be shared with who you want. It is a one stoop shop. Also, within Google mail you can chat, audio chat, and or video chat.

There are also many websites geared towards certain kid populations with certain activities to engage them with other kids that share those interests. Then there are online course applications to provide a place for teachers to post classes online and allow students to comment, reflect and turn in their assignments all in one place.

The Internet's potentials are limitless. As the world wide web grows and changes the sky is the limit, it seems. I can't wait to see what will happen next.