User:Alisamichelledunn/sandbox

PURPOSE AND GOAL: The purpose and goal of focusing on collaborativism is to strategically combine online learning with traditional teaching within the classroom. Social media has captivated young America, why not use social media (online learning) to motivate students to want to learn more? The collaborative learning theory is the first step into the right direction.

LEARNING THEORY:

COLLABORATIVISM: Throughout the years education has remained somewhat the same until the present. This change can be contributed to the invention of the internet also known as the world wide web. There are several learning theories in which conclusions have been made but the one learning theory that balances the internet world and the traditional class room is : collaborativism. Harasim states, "collaborativism, previously known as online collaborative learning (OCL), represents a focus on learning networks that emerged with the advent of computer networking" (Harasim, 2017, p.106). Before OCL, it would be almost impossible for working adults to continue their education. The thought of driving to a college campus, sitting in a classroom for one hour, after working a job nine to ten hours is discouraging. In the beginning, "the invention of the internet and the subsequent emergence of a plethora of educational application encourages innovation, but at the same time, also underscored rather than dismissed the need for new strategic approaches informed by educational theory and research. While the internet offers enticing potential for increased student interaction and active learning, the challenge is to fully understand the potential opportunities, and effectively transform pedagogy to reflect that understanding" (Harasim, 2017, p.107).

ROLE OF THE TEACHER: The role of the teacher in collaborative learning environment is encouraging the student to use their knowledge and to set boundaries in the online classroom for students to respect each other by using text etiquette. This means the teacher and the student share responsibility in ensuring the online experience is productive. As stated above, I would like to merge the traditional and collaborative learning theory, therefore, a classroom lesson would be taught before sending the student to online courses until the student is mature enough to comprehend online classes alone.

ROLE OF THE STUDENT: The role of the student in a collaborative learning environment is open to new ideas and being respectful of others' differences. Students must make an effort to engage in learning and as a result, they will build trust in working together. The ultimate goal of online learning is to learn how to work with peers and in the end students will gain confidence from working as a team.

LEANING ENVIRONMENT: According to Harasim, "collaborativism focuses on approaches and techniques that use the internet to facilitate collaborative learning and knowledge building as a means to reshape formal, non-formal and informal education for the Knowledge Age, and to do so in a manner that demonstrably enhances human learning" (Harasim, 2017, p. 108). In a glance, the classroom would consist of groups using computers or their smartphones engaged in an online lesson.

INSTRUCTOR MATERIALS (CURRICULUM): The instructor would have to search for online materials or they would have to create their own content for what subjects they would want to teach. The content should be "user friendly" and easy to understand. The instructor must keep in mind the student will be at home trying to complete this assignment, therefore it must be simple and to the point. It would be great if the online materials chosen has a grading system already but if not, the instructor must be up front concerning grades so there will be no confusion.

CLASSROOM EXERCISES AND TECHNOLOGIES: To explore collaborativism theory, two online sites were created for students to test out:

https://www.easyclass.com/sections/200372/updates

blancheelyhighjrotc.learnworlds.com