2 Methodology
I used the educational social platform Edmodo, which allows for the safe, virtual continuation of in-class interaction, where students can further develop the working relationships necessary for successful teamwork, as well as engage with a range of tasks. The integration of Google Docs, allowing for real-time collaboration on word-processed documents, proved a highly useful extension of Edmodo’s functions. Furthermore, with the possibility for students to hand in assignments online I could easily keep track of submissions as well as correct, give feedback on and grade their work, with the platform automatically keeping a record for both the students and myself. Thus, it is possible to provide formative feedback more easily and at crucial moments. According to Alan Pritchard’s definition2 of social constructivism, dialogue is “the vehicle by which ideas are considered, shared and developed” and “the teacher has the role of stimulating dialogue and maintaining its momentum.” With the technological tools at my disposal it was possible to keep alive and allow that dialogue to branch out organically beyond the walls of my classroom where it originates.
3 Outcome
The project can confirm the hypotheses of educators worldwide: that even online social interaction has educational potential and that the use of ICT can indeed enhance the socio-constructivist dimension of my students’ learning experience. While interaction happens in a virtual space, it still exerts a positive effect on the real world. Edmodo and Google Docs helped create an atmosphere of mutual support, where students realised and valued each other as resources in the sense of “more knowledgeable peers”, which in turn nurtured a more learner-centred, inclusive and constructive environment. Furthermore, it provided a space within which to practise peer-assessment, group-editing and problem-solving. This allowed students to move to the higher levels of Benjamin Bloom’s revised taxonomy3 of analysis, evaluation and creation, which are all transferable skills that will be useful in different subjects, their professional and even private lives.