Connectivist theorists believe that the acquisition of knowledge is no longer bounded by the presence of a content expert or academic institution, but rather occurs within groups, communities, and global networks. These communities and networks may be comprised of peers, subject matter experts, or even the community at large.
4More
shared by teachingjake503 on 01 Sep 17
- No Cached
The Connected Educator: All About Connectedness | Edutopia - 3 views
www.edutopia.org/...about-connectedness-tom-whitby
education technology edtech543 resources teaching socialmedialearning pln plns
![](/images/link.gif)
-
I really connect to theory through hearing about practice. In this article by Tom Whitby for Edutopia, he shares 6 different stories from 6 different educators who have begun to engage with online professional learning networks. I connected to this article because I had the same path as many of these educators. Whether it was the teacher who heard someone at a conference or the 29 year veteran who found herself in a 1:1 MacBook class, they all began peripherally and then developed into active participants in their online PLNs. This article is a pretty good setup for our upcoming adventures.
- ...1 more comment...
-
Hi Jake, I liked the stories, especially Carol's experience of Twitter! I did see some discussion of professional learning networks in my reading as well.
-
It was interesting to see most of their stories had to do with Twitter. I have resisted Twitter for so long because I do not understand it at all! Guess it's time to learn.
-
Reading personal stories from teachers really helps me see how educators are using Twitter, and other technologies, in the classroom. I appreciated reading the variety of ways these teachers use Twitter to communicate with students and connect with other educators professionally. I'm beginning to see the value of Twitter as a professional network builder!
3More
shared by teachingjake503 on 01 Sep 17
- No Cached
An early report card on MOOCs - WSJ - 1 views
www.wsj.com/...open-online-courses-1381266504
education technology edtech543 resources teaching learning connectivism
![](/images/link.gif)
-
I saw a reference to MOOCs when I was researching so I wanted to dive deeper into MOOCs (massive open online courses). This article serves as a report card discussing the successes and needed improvements for MOOCs. MOOCs biggest successes seem to be the huge reach they have with their online presence. Millions of people enroll in the courses and top universities, such as Harvard and MIT, have MOOCs. However, some pitfalls are that less than 10% of people who enroll in MOOCs actually finish. The article gives ideas for improving MOOCs mostly based off the belief that online courses can be isolating and more collaboration with actual humans, via chats and videos, need to be included in MOOCs. I found this read interesting because the MOOCs are founded with the connectivism theory in mind, however many of this components that drive connectivsm and communities of practice are lacking.
-
Jake, I found a resource on MOOCs as well and while it was a positive presentation of them, it also noted some of the pitfalls. The fact that they draw mostly highly educated students, makes me wonder how accessible they are for all people. However, I know they are new and evolving, so it will be interesting to follow their development.
-
This article was extremely interesting! I was surprised to see the the high percentage of people who sign up for MOOCs and don't finish. I also strongly agree with the comment in the article, "people need people." Thanks for sharing!
2More
Perspectives in AE- "Typing Back": Social Media as Space For Critical Discourse - 3 views
-
This article discusses the power that social media has in adult education. It discusses the ability for knowledge to be shared and discussed worldwide. The article also points out that social media is changing the way society communicates and networks, and that the world has become more interconnected than before. I appreciated the author also bringing up that consumerism, mostly in the form of advertisements, can be a downside of many free social media applications. The author argues that the ads could perpetuate harmful spending habits of users. I think this argument is one to take into account when using social media in primary and secondary education.
-
Thanks for posting this article, which exposed me to a brand-new term: Pedagogy 2.0. Using social network tools, Pedagogy 2.0's teaching and learning practices advocate learner choice, self-direction, and flexibility in learning activities, which are key components to adult education. I also enjoyed the article's discussion of consumerism and power structures, which are engaging in "social surveillance."
9More
What Is A Personal Learning Network? - 4 views
-
This page by TeachThought Staff connects to a video by Marc-André Lalande that gives a simple definition and explanation of a personal learning network.
- ...6 more comments...
-
I love the video! This is the first video I've come across that gives a short, sweet introduction to exactly what a PLN consists of. It mentions both the online global community and the people who you interact with. I love how it mentions that you get to choose who is in your PLN. That isn't something that has been mentioned in my research.
-
This discusses what a PLN is and the benefits to having one. It talks about the flexibility a PLN allows you that a more traditional setting would not. A PLN allows you to personalize things and choose your level of involvement.
-
This was a great article that succinctly describes what a PLN is. The page includes a brief video in which Marc-André Lalande illustrates, in a very practical manner, how educators can use PLN's to connect with other professional educators to share ideas. He also shares a few of his favorite PLN's, including Twitter.
-
Marc-Andre Lalande breaks down the definition and key aspects of PLNs. He first expresses the importance of choice in a personal learning network, as it is a "personal" decision who to connect with, when to connect with them, and why you connect to begin with. Next, he discusses the idea of a "network" and how the Internet provides connectivity to people of all backgrounds to engage in conversation on topics of similar interest. Finally, he explains the crucial "learning" aspect of a PLN, asserting that learning happens through observing (or "lurking") as well as contributing to a discussion.
-
Great article Michelle! I like how it breaks down and explains "personal" and "professional" learning networks! Great insight!
-
Good resource. Simple, to the point. The video is a good resource to share too. If you have colleagues who don't know about PLNs, this is a good place to start.
-
Summary: Defines what a PLN is, also has a great video resource. Focuses on how personal a PLN can be and how we are all connected.
-
Perfect resource for understanding what a PLN really is. I love the simplicity of this article and the way it guides the reader through with a video. It really is a great place to start to being to make sense of PLN. One thing that was shared at the end was that views will continue to change as technology evolves. Love that thought.
4More
Realising the potential of peer-to-peer learning - 4 views
-
Summary: Educators from Australia uncovered that the most useful collaboration taken from a course was student-led and student generation conversations. The users were able to exponentially grow professionally with the help of their peers through social media. The collaboration in this case was not mandated by the professor, but merely a suggestion. It was the desire to learn from others that sparked the community created digitally. It was through the social media that the learners were able to share ideas, questions in a way that was organized and beneficial to all.
- ...1 more comment...
-
The authors participated in a MOOC offered by the University of Edinburgh in 2013. The course included digital activities and peer collaboration exercises. Many of the participants enrolled in the course so that they could improve their own instruction in online environments. Through the process the course takers learned that they could use social media platforms for educational purposes. As they participated they ended up forming PLNs among themselves and other participants. With this article, the authors offered their experiences of how they realized the full potential benefits of MOOCs and social media for educators.
-
Very interesting article. I always sign up for MOOCs and find I always take away something but have never had that social connection experience in the course as they did in this article; maybe it was the instructor(s) and their encouragement to connect outside of the MOOC. I am going to pay more attention in the future to see if I see connectivism, PLN, and communities of practice.
-
Great article. I wanted to dive deeper into the MOOC's but just did not have the time. I am so glad you found and posted this article. I would really like to find a MOOC with the social interaction described in this article. I think that would be a very valuable learning opportunity.
2More
shared by kellyspiese on 31 Aug 17
- No Cached
Teaching Information Literacy via Social Media: an Exploration of Connectivism - 3 views
digitalcommons.unl.edu/...viewcontent.cgi
teaching informationliteracy socialmedia connectivism edtech543
![](/images/link.gif)
-
In this article two university librarians advocate using social media platforms to teach information literacy concepts. They believe that social media platforms, which students already engage in, provide a perfect focal point for showing students how they can access all kinds of information sources outside the realm of the traditional sources like books and scholarly articles. Because of the need to critically evaluate information found on the web, the use of social media for research provides an excellent demonstration model for this essential skill. Librarians, the authors say, should embrace a connectivist approach when using social media to show students the process for making connections between different sources of information.
-
This article seems so relevant, especially to my teaching experience. I think that teaching students how to use social media and evaluate information on the internet is not just something librarians should teach; it should be something all teachers cover as it is extremely valuable. As the world around us changes, so to must our teaching practices and the content we cover.
4More
shared by kellyspiese on 01 Sep 17
- No Cached
Professional Development 2.0 for Librarians: Developing an Online Personal Learning Net... - 4 views
www.emeraldinsight.com/...07419051211241840
professionaldevelopment personallearningnetwork librarians PLN learning edtech543
![](/images/link.gif)
-
In this article Nicole Cooke, a Reference and Instruction Librarian encourages fellow librarians to keep abreast of the latest technology and the most current ways of seeking information so that they are prepared to help satisfy the needs of today's library patrons. She suggests that librarians prepare themselves for the evolving library patron by participating in professional development activities. In particular, Cooke advocates that librarians seek out the current educational opportunities that are available through various Web 2.0 applications. Cooke then moves on to describe how librarians can incorporate new learning opportunities into their day to day functions through the use of social media platforms such as blogs and wikis. Cooke ends the article by talking about personal learning networks and how librarians should take advantage of social media platforms to form connections with others in the field for professional growth.
- ...1 more comment...
-
I often feel like librarians are forgotten. It is also important to note how libraries have changed over the years. Because of that change, the development of online PLNs totally makes sense. Thanks for sharing!
-
I think this is a great article. I agree that anyone who is in education has to stay "savvy." I especially liked the comment "Maintaining competence and learning new skills must be at the top of every professional's "To Do" list. It is an ethical responsibility, to be sure, but also one that is pragmatic and critical for career success. [...] Continuing professional education is no longer an option, it is a requirement of professional practice. "
-
I am glad to see you posted a link to a PLN for librarians. I think understanding PLNs purpose and framework comes easier when it is viewed from a particular perspective (i.e. Librarians). I do think PLNs are particularly useful in the digital age with some much information and professional development resources readily available.
1More
Communities of Practice in Workplaces: Learning as a Naturally Occurring Event - 0 views
12More
Connectivism: Learning as a Community - Designed:2:Learn - 7 views
-
Connectivism presents an opportunity for learners to construct their own understanding of the world around them by associating pre-existing knowledge with their own interactions with society
-
Connectivist theorists argue that the way in which individuals acquire knowledge has changed. Academic institutions (which have historically been considered as the place in which individuals acquire knowledge and information) are being supported and/or replaced by groups of people within a learning network. The process of learning involves the creation of knowledge through these personalized networks and identifying the relationships between one's own knowledge and the knowledge of others within a network. These connections can occur in a variety of ways and with a variety of learners.
- ...7 more comments...
-
Hi Cinnamon. I love this blog post on connectivism and personal learning environments. Perhaps my favorite part was the inclusion of strategies recommended for incorporating connectivism into the classroom. By having students join professional networks or survey others online, they are able to build knowledge through the social interaction that characterizes social media tools. These examples really helped me to visualize the way connectivism could work in a classroom. Thanks for sharing!
-
I really enjoyed the connections and examples made in this post. The analogy of comparison from connectivism to a spider web and allowing the individual to form their own path while utilizing it was great in terms of putting this into perspective. I think out of resources I have been viewing/sharing that is one of the best examples I have seen. Thanks!
-
The author discusses what connectivism is and some ways to apply it in the classroom. I really liked the way the author related connectivism to a spider web. The more connections you have to the material, the stronger your knowledge web will be.
-
Great article and very practical! I liked the suggestion of creating an assignment where students reach out to their existing social networks about a specific topic of interest. They would use their network for surveying popular opinions or crowd sourcing information. I think that it would be a very safe and effective way of using social networks in the classroom.
-
Remington discusses the theory of connectivism, providing a great metaphor of connectivism and a spider's web. He also offers examples on how teachers can design instruction based on the theory.
-
Remington outlines the impact of the digital world on learning. He explains connectivist learning as a shift from what a student knows to the knowledge of where to acquire the knowledge. Various strategies are given to help teachers incorporate connectivist principles into the classroom.
-
Connectivism encourages learners to make connections between ideas and their own experiences to better understand new material. It also emphasizes the vitality of learning together to strengthen education, gaining knowledge from the experiences and ideas of others. It describes connectivism as a spider web which strengthens as more and more connections form. I enjoyed reading this!
-
This article helped me to understand how to apply connectivism in the classroom. It also pointed out misconceptions that educators have about using social networking in the classroom.
-
Written by Kegan Remington, an Instructional Designer, the article discusses what connectivism is and how it can be applied in the classroom. He lays out the four simple ways of introducing connectivism in the classroom.
1More