Theory Name: Learning Communities in Classrooms

Authors: Bielaczyc, Katerine, Collins, Allan

Associated Learning Theory
Social Learning Theory

Model Description
The model is based on socialist beliefs. They believe that learning happens from those around you and their expertise and experiences. By mimicking and modeling, learning takes place.

Specification of Theory
(a) Goals and preconditions
“ The primary goal of this theory is to advance the collective knowledge and skills and thereby to support the growth of individual knowledge and skills.” p.270

(b) Principles
In a learning community the goal is to advance the collective knowledge and in that way to support the growth of individual knowledge. p.271 There is a culture of learning in which everyone is involved in a collective effort of understanding. 4 Characteristics associated with culture; 1. Diversity of expertise among members, 2. Shared objective of continually advancing the collective knowledge and skills, 3. An emphasis on learning and how to learn 4. Mechanisms for sharing what is learned.

(c) Condition of learning
A culture of learning as a collective effort and sharing of knowledge, respect and appreciation for differences within the community and finally respect and appreciation for all members of the community.

(d) Required media
None

(e) Role of facilitator
Learning how to learn. Learning how to direct student’s own learning, and how to deal with complex issues as well as work with people.

(f) Instructional strategies
• Community growth
• Emergent goals
• Articulation of goals
• Metacognition
• Beyond the bounds
• Respect for others
• Failure-safe – the community should accept failures and not try to assess blame
• Structural dependence
• Depth over breadth
• Diverse expertise
• Multiple ways to participate
• Sharing
• Negotiation
• Quality of products

(g) Assessment method
I would guess they would follow the roles of socialist thoughts about assessment….

Formative Research & Application
(a) Tested context: K-12
(b) Research method: Qualitative
(c) Research description: Case studies
(d) Resources