5b+Collaboration

The rabbis of the //Talmud// ask in //Masekhet Eruvin//: //K’tzad seder mishnah//—how was the oral tradition taught. //Masekhet Eruvin// continues with two educational models: The first model is that the way a student learns is to sit at the “feet” of his or her teacher and be taught. Moshe taught Aaron, and then Aaron taught his sons etc. The other model that the //Talmud// discusses is that each student, in order to fully learn the teachings, had to learn in the concepts with (at least) four different methods.

Today this this method of teaching is described as “[|student centered teaching].” A major component of this type of learning is cooperative learning that is peer driven and project based.

Supplemental jewish education is a process of training and then giving our students the opportunity to participate in Jewish communal life. Cooperative learning models specifically engage learners in environments where the group collaborates and processes challenges and [|issues]. These are specific skills needed in a Jewish communal environment.

With the introduction of digital mediums in the classroom the idea of communal collaboration can be expanded to engage learners far beyond a traditional classroom. Students have the opportunity to work with learners from around the world and address problems with different tools.

An example of this could be preparing teens to lead shiva minyanim. Teens from different communities could collaborate online to explore different issues and challenges that occur in these environments and strategize solutions to social situations. Students could also create support mechanisms through social media to help encourage and support participation in a project.