Social Learning Theory

In the video resource for week 5, Dr. Michael Orey describes an instructional strategy known as the Jigsaw Strategy. Orey explains that in this strategy, the students are split into groups and that each group is responsible for becoming an “expert” on some piece of information. They are responsible for constructing an instructional tool to display or present their newfound knowledge. The students are then re-grouped so that the experts of each topic are in a single group. The job of each member is now to teach the rest of the group about their topic of expertise using their constructed presentation. The jigsaw strategy correlates with the principles of social learning theory. First, the students are working collaboratively as each member of the original group is responsible for gathering research on the topic of their presentation. They are then working together to build something, which is in this case, their presentation. There is a “more knowledgeable other” as Orey describes is a component of social learning theory, when students consult literature and web resources for their information. The students also are acting as the “more knowledgeable other” for their peers when they break into the second group to teach their classmates. Orey explains, “Teaching others helps the learner develop a deeper understanding of the content.” Technology is useful to incorporate into this strategy as it engages the students and facilitates the process of creating a mode of instruction. Students can create a website, a PowerPoint presentation, or a handout using computers and the internet to help them present their knowledge.

Laureate Education Inc. (Producer). (2009). Program 8. Social learning theory [Motion Picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology Baltimore: Author.