Online Collaboration:The Positive Social Dynamics
In a recent discussion at the beginning of class, students began to share with me the story of a recent online study group that was created using Skype and Vyew. The conversation they shared focused on how much fun these technologies enabled students to have when studying for a simple document based essay. As the conversation progressed, it became apparent that 85% of this particular class participated in this online endeavor. That alone should have been enough for any classroom teacher to jump up on a desk and shout "Carpe Diem". However, what followed that discovery was something even more powerful and enlightening. It became apparent the class I was having this conversation with was developing a very positive and powerful relationship. They were laughing, joking, and recalling bits of their online interaction with ease. The back and forth banter was illustrating for me, the true social power such an online platform can have for the social dynamics of a class. Students who may have found it initially difficult to engage in meaningful academic conversation, were sharing thoughts and ideas.
Having been a coach for many years, I can state with confidence that a team's chemistry is in direct proportion to the success of that team on the playing field. I have always struggled to take that formula for success and apply that to the academic environment. However, there were always the traditional stumbling blocks of social dynamics. In a face to face environment of a classroom, traditional social stigmas rule the day. Whether it is looks, cliques, or other teenage social inhibitors, melding the class into a learning team has often been the one obstacle I struggled with. This may be on the verge of changing.
Web 2.0 technologies foster a platform where individuals can work together without typical stereotypes. Shy students, who may not be confident, can voice there ideas and opinions without the looks or stares that may exist in a traditional classroom setting. Gender based chauvinism may fall to the way side, in search for the answer. An individual's personality can thrive in this environment, allowing both the introvert and extrovert, or the class clown and the black sheep to work together. This particular class, produced an incredible intellectual exchange that put a smile on my face, and may have even put a smile on the faces of the makers of Monty Pythons flying circus.
Now there will always be the examples of power and ego gone amuck. With that said, we began to lay the foundation for a series of rules.
Rule 1: Everyone is entitled to a voice.
Rule 2: No one individual should monopolize the air waves (chat lines).
Rule 3: There must exist a mutual respect for all participants.
Rule 4: There is no such thing as a bad idea.
Rule 5: The group must clearly define the objective of every online collaboration.
Rule 6: Recognize everyone is participating in an intellectual exercise, humor and individual personality aside, there should be some level of discretion.
Rule 7: All participants are to avoid profanity.
Rule 8: Anyone who violates these simple rules, may be kicked out of the discussion.
We are still in the early stages of this online environment, and I anticipate hurdles will need to be overcome. However, the social benefits for a classroom may be as powerful as the technologies themselves.
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5 comments:
Hello, this is Jaclyn's mom: she asked me to respond to one of the blogs, and the most recent one, on educational change, evoked some feelings that she probably wishes I wouldn't express. As a teacher in public schools for over 30 years, I, too, have seen the reticence preventing students from sharing their opinions in class. I do feel that changes in technology have vastly improved research methods, yet I am sorry to see my daughters and niece consumed with online communication rather than braving face-to-face interactions. It may be a factor of maturation, but I do not believe that students should hide behind their computers in order to voice their opinions with conviction. It takes practice to be comfortable with public speaking and it is a vital skill, which, as much as I dreaded it in middle and high school, served me well in my profession. Middle and high school years are times of many changes and offer the “window of opportunity” to begin developing such confidence. I believe that if students are assigned topics of interest, they will talk. Unpopular as my opinion may be, if they are required to give oral reports on topics that they enjoy, they will slowly become more at ease with the spoken word.
Mr. Aroune,
I like your voacabulary you use and express through your ideas. I also like your football coach analogy. I believe that you have a lot of great ideas and that you shouldn't be changing anything about your writing style. I believe that I am learning a lot from the various websites that you have provided in and out of the classroom and that everyone might be learning a little more everytime they click on those websites. I believe that in a little more time, we will know almost anything about how to get information quicker and more effective. I also like those rules you put on your blog, they really give me insight on what should be the law of life. If only these rules that you created could go into practice and be made into a law, that way we can a live in harmony. Good job Mr. A keep up the spectacular work.
I would like to respond to Jaclyn's mom's response. First, any opinion related to student achievement and/or engagement is important to discuss. From what I have seen, I have a little different take but do concur that students do need to be able to present to a group and articulate a message. Yes, those middle school classes were very valuable but in the beginning they were very scary to many students.
If the end product is for face-to-face communication, does that mean that all students need to get there the same way? What I see is our most reluctant or shy students interacting and developing a relationship over the internet that is providing them a "safer avenue" to express their opinions at first. Over time, because the relationships have been developed first and accepted by the peers they are interacting with, they are more likely to participate in class and even admit to being more comfortable addressing the class. I think what is happening is that some interpret the use of technology as an effective pedagogy that will replace all other expectations of more traditional skills such as effective writing, public speaking, etc.. I prefer to look at it as an additional means to reach an end.
Just a thought.
Mr. Aroune, I am all for the blogging assignments, it’s just that this article put a different perspective into my mind. The rules are a great way to lay down the regulations but the rest of the article I am concerned about.
It states the relationship with the student and the classroom through shyness. Relating to this, one who is shy in class can express their ideas, without other peers jeering at their opinion. This can cause people to gain confidence and can communicate at a large number in their own preferable environment. For some people, it is understandable that it is difficult to talk in front of others. These blogs might be the answer and are one way shy students can start to communicate more comfortably.
The only flaw I see in communicating through blogs online is that how the person's personality is. In English class, we were taught how to pick out the tone of the author. With blogging, how can one tell if the author is trying to be serious, or become suddenly sarcastic? Personality and facial expressions are lost through blogging, which at times, makes the moment more interesting. Also, how will the students who are shy learn the correct way of speaking, in order to create more success?
I believe that explaining who you are and selling yourself to others is a major factor in communication skills. When people are applying for jobs, the employer will hire someone who can talk, not someone who will need to write down their answer on a sheet of paper for an interview. If shy people rely on blogging and the electronic world too much, then they will be missing out with communication in the physical world itself.
Mr. aroune,
I used vyew for the first time last week and i had a blast, while learning for history which unfortunately is my least favorite subject of all in my schedule. However, with this addition of technology to the classroom you have made my learning experience of history a little more enjoyable. Also, i was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of technology, but after using it for about 15 weeks I have adapted to this and now have began to enjoy this class even though it is my least enjoyable subject.
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