There are numerous labels and theories to how we all learn, but as I challenged you last week to reflect, what makes you an expert? But, let's take a step back and think, how do we learn? I want to explore observational and social learning as we reflect on how we learn in different contexts and with, of, and through technology.
Observational learning is the viral Listen Linda video, monkey see monkey do saying, learning by observing others and repeating what we observe. We think about how students observe each other, their teachers, family, and now we must consider social media. TikTok is such an influential platform for kids (and adults!) to learn. Trends and
hashtags, viral videos, and influencers like Charli D'Amelio are teaching their viewers how to act, dress, and so much more without our elementary and middle schoolers even being aware of it. As a middle school teacher, I observe how my students are learning by their interactions with others, the habits they learn from me, and how this learning style is modified when the situation or environment changes.
The social learning theory (also known as sociocultural theory) focuses on the culture, the social aspect of how we learn, how we observe and imitate others. The social and physical contexts we place ourselves or are placed in influence how we learn. This theory highlights the impact of peers on our learning processes and individual development (Cherry, 2019). With that knowledge, educators need to be prepared to best support students based on these needs. Teachers must be aware of each student's zone of proximal development, attitude, need for appropriate scaffolding, direction for role-play, in addition to other effective opportunities for students to play and learn about and through cultural differences.
Learning with technology tools is extremely important to me not only as the technology coordinator at my school, but as a teacher. Using technology as tools, whether a calculator or CoDrone, students use these tools to access information, learn from each other, and enhance thinking (Salomon & Perkins, 2005). Teaching and challenging our students to utilize technology this way starts with challenging our educators. It is critical to educate teachers to be educated to educate students to learn with, of, and through technology. Technology is constantly evolving and in order to grow our intellectual performance, we need to reassess how we can utilize the technologies to benefit overall student success.
Whether we're reflecting on our students learning or our own, we need to be intentional with the steps we take and tools we use to prepare ourselves to challenge our cognitive capabilities. Reflect on your environment, who you surround yourself with, cultural differences, and your own zone of proximal development to understanding how those factors influence your learning. And as Alexis says,
Resources:
Cherry, K. (2019, November 26). Sociocultural theory of development. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-sociocultural-theory-2795088
PenPaperPencil (2014). 3 year old boy argues with his mother over cupcakes. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiumS2UZtvM&feature=youtu.be
Salomon, G., & Perkins, D. (2005). Do technologies make us smarter? Intellectual amplification with, of and through technology. In R. J. Sternberg & D. D. Preiss (Eds.), Intelligence and technology: The impact of tools on the nature and development of human abilities (pp. 71-86). Erlbaum.
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