Connectivism

Connectivism

Connectivism is “driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New information is continually being acquired and the ability to draw distinctions between important information unimportant information is vital.”(Siemens, 2005)  This week we created a mind map showing how we keep connected.  In reflecting on all of my connections I realized that, other than teaching all day, I do not belong to any social groups that meet in the same physical space or that are not social networking sites.  My parents would consider that anti social, I consider it not enough time in the day to fit it all in let alone leave the house, yet again, when I have been away for 8-9 hours already.  Malcolm Knowles would call it self-directed learning.

My networks have changed the way I learn, because I can learn at my own pace.  If I need immediate information, I get fairly reliable information, from the Internet, right then and there.  If I get a brainstorm in the middle of teaching a lesson, I can get the information or the video or the music I need immediately.  If a life issue comes up I can put my learning on hold to deal with the situation until I am ready to start again.  I used to be a traditional learner, who, when I needed information, would go to the library and use the reference books or read biographies for fun.  I still do that, but with the Internet readily available, I can at least get the basic knowledge I need, to apply it to the situation at hand.

Possibly my favorite digital tool to acquire information is Google.  That search engine has saved my bacon many times, especially in arguments when I know I’m right.  Another is YouTube.  You can find a video for just about anything you need or want to know, and it proves that there are many different ways to learn and facilitate learning in others.  There are many others like how.com & ask.com, and more and more podcasts are becoming learner centered.

I thinking about how connectivism relates to my personal learning networks, I think it fits right in.  According to Siemens

·      Learning may reside in non-human appliances

·      Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known

·      Currency is the intent of all connectivist learning activities

Decision-making itself is a learning process.  Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. (Siemens, 2005).  In choosing to study online and study online learning I have chosen to connect myself to constructivism and its principles, be it a learning theory or not.

References

Conlan, J., Grabowski, S., & Smith, K. (2003).  Adult learning.  In M. Orey(Ed).  Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology.  Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Adult_Learning

Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008).  Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism

Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A Learning theory for the digital age.  International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning. Retrieved from http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan_05/article01.htm