How can we help our students find each other to learn together?
Today I am reminded again of the power of student CHOICE in creating the engagement necessary for memorable and meaningful learning to occur, especially in distance learning. We are indeed wired to be social-learning together. We need to help our, students FIND EACH OTHER.
Let’s face it feels good to see a familiar face right now and makes working together- especially in an awkward breakout room environment- more enjoyable and effective. Zoom makes even basic relationships slower to form with its inability to foster small talk.
Allowing for student input in partners and teams allows them to begin communication above the bottom floor of Maslow’s Hierarchy and into higher-order thinking much faster. Familiarity and past positive social structures make an enormous difference in student satisfaction, engagement, and outcome.