by Hong Kha
Encouraging Social Learning Tools in the Classroom
We still have faculty who forbid students from using their cell phones and laptops in class because they don't want students to be distracted. I say take those weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Engage your students by using their own devices. Tools such as Today's Meet, and Poll Everywhere can help you incorporate social learning to help your students interact and understand the material you're teaching. Websites like
http://todaysmeet.com lets you create a back channel allowing students to comment or ask questions while you lead a class lecture or discussion. Other sites such as
http://www.polleverywhere.com allows you to create an interactive poll to get a pulse on student understanding during a lecture. Sites like these empower students to interact during class lectures by using their own laptops and smart phones. With today's technology, I'd encourage you to stop discouraging the use of technology in the classroom but to allow them to empower you in new ways of engaging your students in the classroom.
Poll Everywhere
http://www.polleverywhere.com
Today's Meet
http://todaysmeet.com
ELI 7 Things You Should Know About Backchannels Communication, Educase
http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/7-things-you-should-know-about-backchannel-communication
Summary of Social Development Theory by Vygotsky
http://www.learning-theories.com/vygotskys-social-learning-theory.html
