Collaboration has always existed among humans for learning or work with family members as well as neighbors and friends. From the Stone Age to the Iron Age to the Technology Age, humans have and will continue to include new ideas into their existing schema and create new schemas through collaboration. Humans have also always worked independently. I do believe that it is human instinct to interact and work as a group. However, depending on the task at hand, some individual may prefer to work or learn alone. Technology can facilitate collaboration by allowing individuals to work together in a virtual world on a global scale to exchange ideas and share information. Additionally, according to Yanik &Porter (2009) collaboration among educators and scholars is an effective tool for learning.
Yanik, H., & Porter, W. (2009). Promoting Effective Use of Technology through Teacher-Researcher Collaboration. International Journal For Technology In Mathematics Education, 16(1), 3-10.
Nadine,
ReplyDeleteWhy do you believe that although humans have this instrinsic motivator that preferences working collaboratively or engaging within a social atmosphere that they tend to develop this independent or anti-social being? What influences this movement? Could this movement be classified as an stage of progression within Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development?
Nadine,
ReplyDeleteIs there more or less chaos in formulating and using online grouping collaboration in education or within a business? Explain.
Michele
Hi Nadine:
ReplyDeleteI am pleased to read that someone has finally disagreed with Rheingold's theory that humans have the basic need to work in groups. I am a firm believer his statement is dependent upon one's learning style and social history.
Personally, I grew up in a rural town with no neighbors. I am the only girl and the youngest. While growing up, I learned to entertain myself. I do not remember group collaboration throughout elementary, high school or college in the late 60’s and early 70’s. My college apartment was a one bedroom that I occupied solely. Moving to Florida, I entered the travel business. Over the following 23 years, most of my traveling was done solo. I was perfectly fine. I actually felt sorry for others who were debating on making decisions concerning their itinerary. While they were debating, I was sightseeing. I raised my oldest daughter alone. With that being said, I do not have the basic need to succeed in a group. Actually, I struggle when placed in a group since it is outside of my social norm. I am unsure of the protocol and try not to appear overly aggressive or too passive. Sometimes this leads to a misinterruptation from others. I do my best to become a cooperative member of the team, although it still remains a challenge, since it has not been a part of my social development. Today when placed in social settings, one would say I am an outgoing, friendly, positive, and a compassionate person, so I do not believe my social development has affected my contribution to society.
Thanks,
Cheryl
Cheryl,
DeleteI agree with your belief regarding learning style and social history. Together we can accomplish much; but depending on the task at hand I may want to do it alone.
Nothing is quite as exciting as working together in a global project for students. I taught middle school math for 16 years and created a program called MathWorld Interactive where my students solved open-ended word problems with students around the world. Their motivation level was at an all-time high. And, because they were able to interact with these other students, they spent hours on creating and developing a very detailed solution with evidence of higher-order thinking skills. Without a doubt, you are so right to say that this makes a difference as it so surely does. But, on the other hand, I agree that there are times when working independently is critical and one cannot simply omit this option as a workable solution for some. It all comes down to differentiation and knowing what works best for your students are being willing to listen to them when they tell what is the most ideal environment for them.
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