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We hear much about the failure of MOOCs because of extraordinarily low completion rates, but what we do not hear about is whether those MOOCs are connectivist or instructionist. This article talks about the successful aspects of connectivist MOOCs, which may include promoting the development of lasting communities of practice and personal learning networks.

Wesch's TED Talk illustrates connectivism in various ways. First, he notes that when a society that is based on relationships becomes a "linear" society, the results can be less-than-desirable. In the classroom, when students are not learning by making connections, the results can also be less-than-desirable.

This article, and more specifically, the video within, explains Personal Learning Networks. The emphasis on connectivity makes it clear how PLNs and connectivism are related.

I liked the simplicity of this source Jill. I does a nice job clearly explaining just what a PLN is and what its core aspects are. Thanks for sharing!

To the point and very clear. More than the reading, the video did an excellent job of explaining what a PLN is and how you can best use it to your own advantage. Great source.

In this post by Stephen Downes, he discusses the generations of technologies and how this coincides with the development of elearning. The last portion of this article brings it back to connectivism.

George Siemens gives a TED Talk on connections. Education is shutting down connections. "Connected learning is transparent learning." The video is about 20 minutes, but worth watching. He has some fascinating examples from his childhood to when he was exposed to more in the world.

This links to a composition by Etienne Wenger, who co-coined the term Community of Practice. Wenger gives an overview with a specific statement that a CoP can be viewed as a social learning system, but is also part of a much broader social learning system, as a result of the network in which it takes place. Wenger goes on to identify the identities that happen as a result of being part of a CoP.

Another article by Etienne Wenger, this appears to be a synopsis and an update to his previously published book. While he does not go into great detail about the topics, he talks about communities of practice as social learning systems and in social learning systems. He also talks about the power of COPs, as well as the relevance to learning today.

This is another article by Etienne Wenger discussing communities of practice. I like it because it works in social learning systems. Social learning systems are similar to connectivism, CoP, and PLNs so I think it fits right in with our topic of study for this module.

I bookmarked this as an extra site. It does not appear to be currently updated, but is George Siemens' personal website. There is a good link to a PDF of his book, Knowing Knowledge (2006).

The site didn't seem all that informative, but the links to the PDF books make up for what the page is lacking. These two books should provide some good reference materials.

This blog is authored by Alec Couros. He is a professor of technology and media at the University of Regina. There are many interesting blogs to run though on this site. His interview on using twitter in education was a great view.

It was interesting to see his perspective on education from another part of the world! Thanks for sharing!

Technology is changing the face of education. The Internet and communication technologies are rapidly expanding learning networks for educators and students alike. The article explains why learning no longer needs to be linear but can take on whatever shape suits the learner.

This article is written on the challenges people face by using the connectivist learning theory. It states that it will work for some students, but like all theories, not all students will benefit with this theory. Knowing your students and being flexible is key in having a successful class.

This is a list I created summarizing the articles I found for the week 2 module in Edtech 543.

I especially liked the principal's reflection. There were sooo many examples of places to start. I think most people would be familiar with or able to set up at least a couple of these.

A PLN or Professional/Personal Learning Network is a tool that uses digital information like social networks to collect, communicate, collaborate, and create with similarly minded people all over the world at any time. PLNs aren't being widely used because of the challenge to navigate the resources. PLN's do drive collaboration and technology is the tool that fuels it. They are a way to connect with people to share and discuss things the people share interest in. You can start a PLN by getting online and joining blogs, twitter, and message boards about what you are interest in. 

According to this sites definition of a Personal Learning Network, this Diigo group meets the definition ("a tool that uses social media and technology to collect, communicate, collaborate and create with connected colleagues anywhere at any time"). The article continues by stating that each member becomes "a source of information," which leads us back to connectivism, making connections, and learning.

This website defines and discusses PLNs as used by educators specifically. This article talks about how to start or get involved in a PLN, barriers educators face in using PLNs, and benefits of using PLNs.

Not only does this resource provide a solid description of what a PLN is, it also answers the important "why do I need one" question. It was particularly helpful to get an idea of how social media is essential to a strong PLN.

A great article that offers many valid and important reasons that an instructor should join PLNs.

This article supports why we all need to join PLN! Great read!

A lengthy article, but it does a good job of explaining the theories behind PLNs while also providing case studies of how PLNs benefited teachers. It connects PLNs with connectivism as well.

This website cleared up a few things about PLNs for me. It discusses how in vogue calling every meeting under the sun a "Professional Learning Community" can be for administrators, but it may just not be so. Also defined are Professional Learning Environments, "a PLE is a system that allows learners to create and manage their own online learning." This site is challenging those involved in education to build those close relationships and form true, genuine (not mandated) PLNs in order to better their practice.

Here is another blog that explains PLNs quite nicely. What I noticed about this one is that they actually discussed how it is based in the connectivism theory and got its roots from it.

I like how this article brings up that PLNs can be a form of professional development. In my time as a teacher, "professional development" has always meant meetings at school with special speakers or district leaders or other teachers giving a formal presentation. However, after reading this and other articles, I am realizing that there are so many ways I can work on my professional development outside of these formal settings.

An article and two videos that outline the theoretical underpinnings of PLNs. It breaks down the term "PLN" into components and explains each. It also explains the link with connectivism.

A great resource on PLN from a PhD student studying "the concept of PLNs and networked and connected learning"

Very thorough source for understanding PLN's. The videos are a good option if you didn't want to read through the whole article and provide a different perspective. I was drawn to the PLN map and other graphic organizers. Great visual representations to further understanding!

This article from Sh!ft Learning explains the differences between Personal Learning Networks, PLCs, CoPs, and PLEs. Anyone unfamiliar to the terms/acronyms would find this article useful in discerning the differences. The article also gives several reasons for why PLNs are needed, and ways they can help educators grows personally and professionally.

Gutierrez defines what a PLN is, what does a PLN do, and what a PLN is not. Lastly, Gutierrez explains why building a PLN is increasingly important. A PLN is where educators can gather, collaborate, communicate, and share information anywhere or anytime. PLNs are formed through social media and across the world. They serve three purposes including connection building, connection maintenance, and connection activation. A PLN is not a CoP or PLE. A Community of Practice is with people that have the same profession, vs PLN connections are more informal. A Personal Learning Environment is much broader than a PLN. A PLN is within the PLE. PLNs help professional development, expanding your thinking, find answers and advice quickly, and stay up to date.

The business blog post defines and contrasts PLNs, CoPs, and PLEs. It discusses the importance of building a PLN. The post points out that connections in a PLN are intentional with the purpose of learning from the other person rather than just meeting by chance. Several good references are provided. Included is a nice illustration showing the relationships between PLNs and PLEs and Personal Web Tools.

In this video interview of Professor of Educational Technology, Alec Couros, he speaks to the importance of connections and connected learning. He mentions George Siemens asking the question, "What endures?" He points out that basically what it comes down to is the relationships formed as a result of the tools used. It's not about the number of connections, but the quality and meaningfulness of the connections. He also speaks to the importance of contributing to others' learning and making it visible.

Thanks for sharing this Kim! The discussion of connectionism in relation to identifying, "What endures?" is very interesting. This highlights the importance of growth through the formation and maintenance of connections.

In this TEDx talk by George Siemens he discusses connections. He begins to discuss this through his own personal background. He pushes inherently through his talk for a change in education. He pushes that the importance of education is connectedness and implies that education currently is inhibiting this connectedness. He says that many platforms for students to be connected are often locked down which I can also say I have found to be true. He parts the talk that he believes the primary task of education is connectedness and that we need to collapse education down to this to cause our students to become better members of society.

Great resource! I like his comment that transparency makes us all instructors and the concept of bringing it all down to connections and connectedness.

I think Tim said it best up there... it's best to get information from a key contributor to connectivism. We cannot expect our students not to connect. We are lucky to be where we are in education right now.

Mr. Richardson makes an argument for education transformation based on computational and connectivist principles.

I agree with Mr. Richardson here... Our ability to be able to connect with other educators around the world will challenge and change the way we view education every single day. We can't keep doing the same things, because the way we do things have changed. Adaptability is the life of the eudcator!