Connectivism

      The idea that people learn from each other by networking is the fundamental principle for Connectivist.  This new theory builds on ideas of constructivist thinking and applies them to a society entrenched by technology.  The Information Age/Communication Age has changed our ability to access and share information by providing products and services via the World Wide Web. Participating in networks has changed the way I learn because the information is well organized and easy to access. These social changes impact all aspects of society, even our educational system.  Connectivism describes how students learn in the Digital Age (Kop.2008).  By understanding that information can be gained from both individuals and computer networks, we recognize the importance of transferring information into knowledge through application.  Although there is still debate over rather or not the ideas of Connectivism equate to a Learning Theory, I appreciate a perspectives that considers how people learn by sharing knowledge in a digital society.

    In today’s world, it is common to gain information from digital resources. Connnectivist consider how this phenomenon may cause people to learn differently.  If so, learning would be defined by a student ability to navigate networks and demonstrate understanding by creating within network forums.   Digital tools that are created to be “user friendly” is best facilitate learning for me. In a traditional since a student may “know” the capital of each state because he has memorized it and this could be assessed as learning.  Within connetivism a student is evaluated as “knowing” the United States Supreme Court justices when he has accessed information about each individual and applied it to creating a blog that shares and build on this information through collaboration (Siemens, 2006).  Educational technology exists to address the connectivist view of how we learn builds on earlier constructivist principles by applying them to new methods of construction and collaboration.  Connectivism is very relevant to understanding new ways to demonstrate learning and to meet the needs of all students.

        As educator, we must continually question how students learn best and apply relevant learning theory to curriculum and instruction.  The principles of Connectivism help learners develop connections through the external world the same way we construct information internally.  This idea is based on the notion that students with access to technology have the ability to learn differently than students in traditional learning environments. When I have questions, I learn new knowledge from individuals via face-to-face and on-line forums. Educational technology has a large impact on the way that students build knowledge and demonstrate learning. The “theory” of connectivism is a logical response to the digital age. I agree with the concept that making connections with people and resources is essentially how we learn. This theory helps educators apply 21st-century technology to the process of learning (Siemens, 2004).  Connectivism is distinct from other theoretical perspectives of learning because it considers the digital world. 

Reference:

Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing knowledge. Retrieved from http://www.Lulu.com.
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing Knowledge. Copyright 2006 by George Siemens.

Kop, R., & Hill, A. (2008). Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestige of the past? International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 9(3), 1–13.

Siemens, G. (2004). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. Retrieved from http://elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm

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