Using cooperative learning groups as a way to manage technology in today’s elementary classroom can be an effective way for students to work together, manage behavior and keep students interested and motivated to learn in a self-directed manner. Technology integration is enhanced through cooperative learning groups because students are able to take on various roles and contribute in a variety of ways in their assigned group. Technology resources are shared and students are able to talk about what they learn and find on the Internet. They can also teach others and share technology skills.

Effective Technology Integration Using Cooperative Learning Groups

      “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrats. The great teacher inspires.” This is one of my favorite quotes about education written by William Arthur Ward. A teacher may ask, “How can I inspire my students or motivate them to more self-directed learning. I would like to offer a few ideas. Combining cooperative learning strategies with technology integration in the elementary classroom can be beneficial to both the students and teacher. Cooperative learning is more than placing students in groups (Glosser, 2003). Effective cooperative learning involves careful planning on the part of the teacher to achieve desired results.
      Most teachers are teaching in classrooms that resemble the schoolhouse of 100 years ago (Goss, 1996). The model seems to be the same as always with the teacher in front of the class, students sitting at desks, and information being disseminated (Hoerr, 2000). Educators today face significant challenges to using technology in the classroom. School districts face untrained educators, inadequate funding resources, and an infrastructure that does not support radical changes in teaching models that technology brings to a classroom (Masullo, 2000).
      Schools across America are now connected to the Internet and the World Wide Web (Masullo, 2000). A growing number of teachers are beginning to use the Internet in their classrooms. Some gather the students around a single computer and show web sites that connect to the classroom curriculum. Other classes use a projector to enlarge the Internet screen for a better look at an Internet site. Still others have multiple computers available in the classroom for students to use singularly, or in groupings, to truly explore sites and participate in web quests and other Internet-related learning activities including communication. Some teachers are using the Internet all day long and fully integrating the Internet in all subject areas. They are using project-based or “designed-based” learning strategies to help students make real-world connections (Robertson, 2000). These teachers are finding the way they teach is changing and the way students learn is drastically different.Teachers everywhere are asking themselves how they can manage this new tool and what strategies work best to teach effectively while integrating technology in their classroom.
      Cooperative learning is an answer. Students can be assigned to groups of four. Partners can be chosen based on ability for a heterogeneous grouping. Each group should have a top-level student, two middle-level students, and one low student (Glosser, 2003). This helps students to learn from each other. If resources are available, each group is assigned one computer. Roles in the group should be rotated each day. One student should be the captain or facilitator. Another should be the recorder or keyboarder (sit at the computer). Another student can be the equipment manager and gather materials, pass out papers etc. The other student should be the scorekeeper. They keep track of their team points which becomes very important in the classroom management component of this approach. They can also gather assignments for absent students.
      Assignments and materials are given to each group verses each student. This makes life a little easier for the teacher. Groups work together to complete assignments which may involve web quests or desk top publishing. Students rotate roles each day so they have a turn to be at the computer every fourth day. The computer may also be used by all members during appropriate times. Much like a family shares a computer at home the groups computer belongs to everyone. The teacher truly becomes a facilitator and helps all groups succeed. Students are encouraged to ask each other for help before they consult with the classroom teacher.
      The teacher’s role becomes one of monitoring and encouraging the students. Many of the activities are self-directed, but the teacher sets the ground rules and compliments desired behavior. The teacher also assigns group points based on targeted goals through observation. Sometimes I carry a clip board around the room and write down positive and desirable comments I hear. I share these with the class when we debrief after work periods.
     By carefully planning a cooperative learning approach the teacher appears to stand by and let it happen. In reality it has been the teacher that has created the learning environment that motivates and inspires the students. Using technology in the classroom does not diminish the role of the teacher (Hoerr, 2000). The teacher becomes the human voice of encouragement, the human face of approval, and the human heart of devotion. Students learn valuable skills about getting along with others, doing their part to ensure success, and leave elementary school with a little more experience in how to succeed in junior high school and their future work places.

     References

Glosser, Gisele (2003, December). Cooperative Learning Techniques.
Math Type, Retrieved December 30, 2003, from
http://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/coop_learning.shtm

Goss, M.A. (1996, Spring). Releasing the isolated warrior. New Horizons for Learning, Retrieved September 7, 2003 from http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/goss.htm

Hoerr, T.R. (2000, July). Technology and MI. New Horizons for Learning, Retrieved September 7, 2003 from http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/mi/hoerr.htm.

Masullo, M., Ruiz, A. (2000, January). People are the only thing that matter. New Horizons for Learning, Retrieved September 7, 2003 from http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/masullo.htm

Robertson, B. (2000, March/April). Integrating technology into instruction. MultMedia Schools,   
 7. Retrieved September 7, 2003, from http://www.infotoday.com/MMSchools/mar00/robertson.htm