Final Project - EDT555 University of Maine - Summer 2008
This project was cooperatively created by Tom, Andrew, and Ben.  The topics and lessons herein combine information from the textbook The Cooperative Classroom: Empowering Learning by Lynda A. Baloche and the use of educational technology.
 
 
A Note To Author Lynda Baloche: As educators taking graduate-level courses in the area of Instructive Technology, we have dedicated our time and focus exploring technology and what can do for today’s students and the future of education. It is without question that technology has become a necessity in our lives, computers and other technologies have changed the whole meaning of education in our schools. The use of chalk and board or even pencil and paper have now evolved to the use of computers and technologies to educate our young. The greatest challenge for educators today is not about chasing the latest technologies, but about how to utilize the potential of technology to enrich cooperative learning. Because cooperative learning has been proven useful in the development of many skills to meet the challenges of the world today, it is being used more and more in schools world-wide. Technology can be utilized to support cooperative learning. In a technology-based cooperative setting, “The teacher is a guide, not the lead, as students construct their own knowledge. In addition, due to various backgrounds, not all students will understand everything in the same way. The teacher, therefore, through cooperative learning, can have them engage in activities which will allow them to understand their own thought processes and those of their peers, just by giving them a chance to voice them in group settings. They will have opportunities to use and see how others use the technology in different ways.” (Chafe, 1998) Authenticity is one of the keys to memorable learning. By using technology in cooperative learning situations, students are being better prepared for how real people work in the every day world. As you explore our understanding of some of the key topics from your book The Cooperative Classroom: Empowering Learning, we invite you to embrace the possibilities of technology as a medium to achieve cooperative learning. - Tom, Andrew, & Benhttp://books.google.com/books?id=_FIJAAAACAAJ&dq=The+Cooperative+Classroomshapeimage_4_link_0
 
Cooperative Learning and Technology
Chafe, Allision.  Computer Technology and Cooperative Learning, (1998):  http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/~achafe/maj_index.html