Journal Review: Enhancing Instruction through Constructivism, Cooperative Learning and Cloud Computing

Denton, D. (2012). Enhancing instruction through constructivism, cooperative learning, and cloud computing. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 56(4), 34-41. doi:10.1007/s11528-012-0585-1

Dr. David W. Denton starts by connecting how Constructivism and Cooperative Learning are enhanced and made possible with cloud computing software (GAFE and Microsoft Onedrive). His article focuses on the undergraduate/graduate level, however, it is not hard to see the connection to secondary learning environments. 

Constructivism

     Constructivism is defined through the following characteristics;

• accessing prior knowledge and integrate with unfamiliar information to create new learning
• facilitation of group dialogue
• reference to formal domain knowledge
• opportunities for students to select challenge level
• practice of metacognitive skills.

Dr. Denton outlines how cloud computing software enables these characteristics because of the ability to share and simultaneously edit documents.

Cooperative Learning

     Cooperative learning is also greatly enhanced through cloud computing because of the ability to share and simultaneously edit documents. It becomes easy for students work together on a lab report, research paper, wikis, and blogs.

Strategies for Integrating Cloud Computing

Dr. Denton then outlines 10 ways to integrate cloud computing. Below is a brief outline of each strategy.

1. Group Projects
1. Have students work together on a Google Doc which then allows for teachers to provide structure and emphasizes process through the revision history capability.
2. Peer Assessment
1. Because Google Docs can be shared and edited, students can share their work with peers who then provide feedback.
3. Student Constructed Presentations
1. Google Slides can be used by students in small groups or the whole class to teach subject matter. 
4. Simultaneous Class Discussions
1. Teachers can use Google Sites, Google Docs, or Google Slides to post a question and have the students respond. This allows students to see their peer's thinking without taking a lot of time.
5. Collaborative Reflection
6. Assisted Writings
1. The ability of students to share documents with instructors then allows instructors to see student work in real-time and provide immediate feedback. 
7. Learning Illustrated
1. Google Drawings can be used by students to synthesize learning by creating a visual representation of content just learned.
8. Class Invetory
1. Google Forms can be used to instantly gather information about student learning. The data is gathered and displayed in Google Sheets which provides an easy format for teachers to understand the results. 
9. Collaborative Rubric Construction
1. Multiple students and teachers can work on the same document to decide the criteria and point value for rubrics.
10. Website Publishing
1. Students interest and engagement can be increased by having them create a Google Site or Blogger.

Final Thoughts

     I already use a lot of these strategies in my classroom using GAFE (Google Apps for Education) or Schoology (my LMS). However, I would like to integrate strategies 7 and 10 in my classroom. I could see having students create Infographics or other visual summaries of their learning and then publish the content to a class website.