BLOG #2 Instructional Strategy Selection

BLOG #2

Instructional Strategy Selection

I selected cooperative learning as the strategy I will use to implement with the non-technology and technology assignment because it seemed like the best fit to my project. Cooperative learning will provide employees at MSUE a chance to interact in small groups on the internet through Adobe Connect and in face to face meetings. It will give them a chance to interact with each other to share knowledge and to increase support of each other through this network.

Members of the group will get a chance to teach and network with each other on things that the group members can apply to their jobs or new materials. The group will help each other solve problems, learn new work procedures, share what each one is doing in their local counties, and experience professional development together.

In the course book, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the authors state that cooperative learning teams build trust, camaraderie and teamwork and can also be used for planning. The staff I work with will be writing renewal grants to fund the work they do. This team will offer each other support and knowledge during the grant writing period.

This type of learning is not new. Corporate teams work to solve big problems by combining knowledge, talent and skills and can not do it alone. An example are the efforts of the group Stand Up 2 Cancer. They raise money to give to collaborative cancer research experts to work together to cure cancer. So an expert on the east coast works with an expert on the west coast. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America are a recipient of this group. Teams do great work each day and it is important that students everywhere learn team building skills.

Bibliography:

“Using Technology With Classroom Instruction That Works (Paperback)” by Howard Pitler (Author), Elizabeth R. Hubbell (Author), Matt Kuhn (Author), and Kim Malenoski (Author). ISBN: 1416605703

Stand Up To Cancer website: February 6, 2011;

http://www.standup2cancer.org/blog_su2c/2011/01/heros_luminaries_and_visionari.php