I would agree with Rheingold. I think for the most part, we are social creatures. This idea works well with a constructivist theory of learning which implies that learning is a communal activity (Driscoll, 2005). I think that collaborative learning opens us to a variety of ideas and experiences. Collaboration allows us to see the perspective or point of view of someone else. It makes me think of the Blind Men and the Elephant, that if they had all worked together, they would have come up with the correct solution.
How can technology facilitate collaboration among learners based on constructivist principles?
Wikis, blogs, Googledocs, and Skype are tools that allow for a collaborative learning experience. Web-based collaborative technologies provide "problem scaffolding" by allowing access to experts and online support (Driscoll, 2005). Being able to interact with diverse groups of learners and knowledge experts allows students with the opportunity to add to their experiences and their learning. Collaborative learning is active in nature which is key to constructivist theory.
Find a current research study that has been conducted in the last 5 years that supports collaboration as an effective tool for learning. Include the link and reference for this study in your blog.
http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6VDC-51PGKV0-1-1&_cdi=5979&_user=7754736&_pii=S0747563210003614&_origin=&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2011&_sk=999729997&view=c&wchp=dGLbVzz-zSkWW&md5=f9b0fe5cc8acedc8c4d01d9523d6491b&ie=/sdarticle.pdf
References
Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Lee, S. & Tsai, C. (March 2011). Student's perceptions of collaboration, self-regulated learning, and information seeking in the context of internet-based learning and traditional learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 27(2), 905-914. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6VDC-51PGKV0-1-1&_cdi=5979&_user=7754736&_pii=S0747563210003614&_origin=&_coverDate=03%2F31%2F2011&_sk=999729997&view=c&wchp=dGLbVzz-zSkWW&md5=f9b0fe5cc8acedc8c4d01d9523d6491b&ie=/sdarticle.pdf
