Tag Archives: Education

Cooperative Learning

According to the theories of Lev Semenovich Vygotsky, and Sociocultural theory, “Students should be put in situations where they have to reach to understand, but where support from other students or the teacher is also available.  Sometimes the best teacher is another student who has just figured out how to solve the problem, because this student is probably operating in the learner’s zone of proximal development.  Students should be guided by explanations, demonstrations, and work with other students-opportunities for cooperative learning”

 – Woolfolk, Anita. 2007. Educational Psychology. Boston. Pearson

What Matters for Learning

Teaching may be a role assumed by a trained professional modeled on well chosen standards, with measured results and reflective evaluations to improve the proponent’s skill and expertise.  Yet, if the teacher’s students do not learn, then it is a failed exercise.  I bring into my teaching fun and excitement and I try not only to teach the subject at hand, but also I strive to regard my students and listen and learn about my students’ abilities, needs, interests and curiosities.  My intent is to get them involved and engaged and motivated in their journey of learning.