Group items tagged

This article, by George Siemens, describes the learning theory of Connectivism. The article begins by discussing the need for a new learning theory for the Digital Age. The author identifies some significant trends in learning and then analyzes the limitation of prior learning theories such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. The principles of Connectivism are described and it's implications are discussed.

I appreciated the perspective offered in this item. There seems to be serious discussion as to whether or not connectivism is theory in and of itself, or if it is a component of learning theories that are already well established. I loved the last line in which the author emphasized the ease of access we now have to information as a result of our connections. "When knowledge, however, is needed, but not known, the ability to plug into sources to meet the requirements becomes a vital skill. As knowledge continues to grow and evolve, access to what is needed is more important than what the learner currently possesses."

This article does an exceptional job of explaining traditional learning theories limitations in the modern world and highlighting the current need to understand connectivism. The article is summed up by stating that it isn't what you know today but what you are able to learn to do tomorrow. I found this article very direct and effective in understanding the current state of what's needed in the educational environment to prepare students for the work force.

This work looks at what Connectivism is, especially as an alternative to the learning theories of behavioralism, cognitivism, and constructivism. It holds that the advent and integration of technology has changed learning.

What is Connectivism? According to this article, it is a new learning theory that incorporates the constantly changing state of knowledge and the digital age. Technology is constantly updating, and they say your software is outdated within months of acquiring. According to this article, something similar can be said of knowledge acquisition. Because sources of information are changing and developing at a rapid rate, our knowledge gained has a half-life. One way to combat the "half-life of knowledge" is to stay connected (via the internet or other forms of digital networks), and view learning as a life-long process. In fact, most learning does not take place within a classroom; instead, it occurs in real-life, learner driven environments. Hence the rise of Connectivism as a viable (new) learning theory. People form connections. People use technology daily. Knowledge is constantly changing. Therefore, learning theory should also change and adapt.

Written by George Siemens, this article outlines the necessity of a new learning theory that addresses the impact of the Web 2.0. By explaining behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism, Siemens provides the argument for connectivism in the digital world. The article is a starting point for anyone who needs a working definition of connectivism or wants to compare it to other prominent learning theories. He presents the idea that "the pipe is more important than the content within the pipe."

What really struck me about this article was the idea that knowledge has a half-life. That is to say how long does it take before it's obsolete. According to this, knowledge now doubles every year and a half. The question becomes what do we do about that? I mentioned in the previous entry that our networks become our receptacles of knowledge. That's part of the solution that's introduced in more detail in this article. Below, you'll find a list of the principles of connectivism. It was a good refresher for me, so I included the definition plus the list: …Connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New information is continually being acquired. The ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. The ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on decisions made yesterday is also critical. Principles of connectivism: ▪ Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. ▪ Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources. ▪ Learning may reside in non-human appliances. ▪ Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known ▪ Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning. ▪ Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill. ▪ Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities. ▪ Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision.

An introduction to why behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism, though suitable theories for their time, are no longer suitable bases for learning and teaching.

List of PLN's for educators. I did request to sign up for The Educator's PLN. These listed PLN's are a great place to begin building your personalized learning networks.

I thought I had a simple understanding of connectivism, but as I read this I realize that I had a 'bubble gum /reality tv' version stuck in my head. This breaks things down easily and has begun to help me understand more deeply. Downes covers, what a learning theory is, what learning is, how it occurs. He compares with behaviorism and instructivism. A good lead in to the academic theory.

This is a succinct overview of learning, learning theories, and in particular, a discussion of connectivism in relation to learning. Also delves into the question of the evaluation of learning through a connectivism lens.

This site is a blog by Stephen Downes discussing Connectivism. Downes describes what learning and learning theories in the context of Connectivism. He then talks about how learning occurs in terms of looking at how connections are formed. He compares/contrasts connectivism with other learning theories such as behaviorism and constructivism.

While this is a blog post, it is a post by Stephen Downes, who is a major contributor to the connectivism theory. This post gives reason to how connectivism is a learning theory by not only explaining what a learning theory is and how people learn as well as how connectivism fits. It also goes to explain how connectivism is valuable to learners and why it contains "principles of quality educational design."

This resource helped me understand the definition and different looks at the concept of a learning theory a well as the learning happens according to the learning theory. It was valuable to look at the author's point of view of connectivism as a learning theory. It was even more valuable to read the comments to the blog post.

This blog post by Stephen Downes discusses connectivism as a learning theory. Downes goes through what a learning theory is, what learning is, how learning occurs, and building on a theory. He compares the connectivism learning theory to other learning theories.

This blog is a great resource on how Connectivism is a learning theory and how it's going to change online learning for everyone.

Stephen Downes writes about connectivism, making clarifications that it is a learning theory and not a method of teaching. The article provides definitions and commentary into what is a learning theory and briefly defines the other 3 theories for reference and contrast.

Excellent review of connectivism and how to decide if its a theory.

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.