Is collaboration a learned behavior? How can technology facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principles?

I believe that everyone inherently is selfish and that collaboration with others is a learned behavior. Even in the example given by Rheingold, human behavior at it root source is self-serving, and that all higher level thought process and mannerism is a learned behavior. When learners realize that they can accomplish more from working with others they begin to form friendship and relationships that promote, validate and facilitate their success. The association and collaboration with others reflect maturity which suggests that it’s a learned behavior and not inherited.


I believe that technology allow learners to connect with concepts that they work with regularly in an easily manageable system. This system allows learners to interact with each other and develop collaborative relationships that increase learning. Learners today are bombarded with technology that provide instant feedback and allow learning to become dynamic. This style of learning allows and promotes instant feedback of learned behavior and allows learners to learn and adjust their understanding based on collaborative feedback.

 I posted on Charles blog about his view point in this discussion at
http://mrcsviewfromthetop.blogspot.com/2011/04/collaboration.html?showComment=1302979919732#c4149584894206721145

I also commented at http://middleton8845.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/module-3/#comment-18
Reference




Rheingold, H. (2005). Howard Rheingold: Way-new collaboration. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold_on_collaboration.html

Simple Thoughts on learning theories

I agree with Kerr when he summarized the learning theories as a tool kit of techniques that assist in helping students meet their learning needs. Each learning model addresses specific learning needs and provides the best practices to ensure learners meet their learning goals. The tool kit analogy allows instructors to provide diverse teaching methods to ensure every student is learning and retaining information.


Learning theories are constantly evolving and instructors tend to gravitate toward one model that meet own learning style. I believe that instructors should learning how to recognize students learning need and be able to use these learning models to ensure that every student is learning at their full potential. Learners are complex and their learning needs and styles change as they develop, this development can be addressed by first recognizing the student’s learning need and adjust the pedagogy to be successful in meeting them. Technology is a beautiful tool that allows instructors to adjust teaching styles and methods to meet a diverse group of learning needs. Technology can also be used to measure and adjust pedagogy according to data.

In my opinion as learning models develop instructors should master the ability to recognize students’ specific learning needs and use learning theories as an instrument to assist in helping students meet and exceed their learning need.

I read and posted on Charles blog about this topic at http://mrcsviewfromthetop.blogspot.com/2011/03/cognitivism-as-learning-theory.html#comment-form

I also posted a comment on Jasmine blog at http://aspirestar.blogspot.com/2011/04/cognitivism-as-learning-theory.html?showComment=1302493371265#c4343675655010810010