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Tony Bates (my fav edtech guy) discusses connectivism and how it applies to teaching and online learning. Another great read. Anything by Tony Bates is quite amazing! EDTECH543 connectivism

My struggle with pedagogies such as the nurturing approach is that I am torn between teaching my students according to the way the world is and the way the world should be. In the former, I believe my students are academically and emotionally prepared to learn in any environment. In the latter, I worry that my students won't be able to cope and compete in the real world. When I worked with at-risk youth, many of them fell behind when they started fourth grade after the "class size reduction subsidies" stopped, and they were put in classes with 50% more students. They were no longer able to get the specialized attention and they were not prepared for it.

One of the aspects that Bates talks about in regards to connectivism is that "There is no need for formal institutions to support this kind of learning, especially since such learning often depends heavily on social media readily available to all participants." I found this statement to be a bit rogue as he tries to state that learning will automatically occur through the use of social media. In identifying how connectivism works, there is still a need to help define the learning for students so that they are provided with the proper structure of information, sources, and how to identify good information. I would love to think that all students inherently want to learn, but truly think that students also need to be taught how to learn through this medium. Not all learning will occur naturally.

A combination of PLN and connectivism that shows why we need this more than ever in education.

This is great. I really like the video format and how Johnson brought all of his ideas together and is really talking about connectivism. He never said the word, but he's talking about connectivity and innovation. He's talking about PLNs and CoPs. The video was very helpful

There is an office space in Fayetteville that I feel is built around this premise. The space is set up to facilitate connections and foster innovation. http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2012/01/24/the-iceberg-the-stage-is-set/

This article focuses on the novice experience in MOOCs, and how the theory may badly serve some of its participants. The author tries to explain this in relation to the theory of connectivism. It explains how technology and learning novices, and their sense of confidence interact with Connectivist theory. This article is worth the read, if you are looking at the limitations of connectivism.

Thanks for posting this article. In my job as an online teacher I see many students with low self efficacy and can definitely relate experience with the author about this.

This was really a fascinating look at the "other" side of connectivism. Having learned a bit about cMOOCs while working on this assignment, I agree that a connectivist MOOC is probably not the most suitable place for a novice learner, and it assumes that participants will enter with a certain level of prerequisite knowledge.

Blogger Glenyan explores what he feels connectivism is, or is not. He discusses how he thinks connectivism influencing learning. Many of the post comments are worth reading, as well.

An interesting critical analysis of Connectivism. Jon Dron compares Connectivism to Connectionism, Distributed cognition, and Collective intelligence. The comments are worth reading as well.

This article is actually a blog on connetivism. THe author of this post focuses on "sensemaking". He defines it as, Sensemaking is an activity that individuals engage in daily in response to uncertainty, complex topics, or in changing settings. Sensemaking is not about truth or right from wrong, bu rather about making information make sense.

Here is a great blog site from George Siemens where he posts on various topics in education and their relativity to connectivism. The blog has not been updated in some time, but there is still a lot of great info on the site.

This website page is the perfect summary of what Connectivism is and what it really represents. Stephen Downes states, "Learning is the creation and removal of connections between the entities, or the adjustment of the strengths of those connections. " This is probably the best resource I have found for truly understanding what Connectivism really is.

This is an overview of connectivism but what is most useful is the GREAT infographic on connected learning.

Yes, the graphic stood out to me as well. Good article introducing connectivism.

This blog post provides an excellent overview of the eight core principles of connectivism, and how it relates to global collaboration throughout education. Check out the infographic in the middle of the post. It shows a clear illustration of how connectivism is associated with individuals interacting and collaborating to obtain new information through technological systems. I like how it displays that all learning is now connected.

"...it is becoming increasingly important to develop the ability to know where to find information, rather than know the information itself." Connectivism within the realm of PLN

I think it helps to pull all of this information together when you can identify ways in which these foundations can be related to one another. I also appreciate the short and concise nature of the post - the author gets right to the point!

This was an interesting read. I appreciated the author's written style. I found her overview of connectivism to be very helpful. In it, she outlines Siemens' eight principles of connectivism. I found the following most interesting: The "capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known." The focus on lifelong learning as a process is probably my favorite part about this theory. It truly democratizes knowledge and values those who make an effort to continue to grow. Thanks for sharing!

This open textbook chapter defines and illustrates the concepts of connectivism. Additionally, it covers the learning principles behind it and explores how it applies to teaching and learning.

Interesting. The role of the teacher has vastly changed in this learning theory. We've gone from the "sage on the stage" to "a facilitator of learning" to "a person that helps kids connect to learning networks," and then learning just happens.

This resource is found in an online textbook called Teaching in a Digital Age. The section explains what connectivism is and applications it has to teaching and learning. The author explains that connectivism is still being developed and controversial compared to the other learning theories. This is another good resource to checkout to learn what connectivism is.

George Siemens presents fundamental tenets of the theory of connectivism in context of and as a substitute or followup to behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. He discusses the principles of the theory as well as the implications of the theory and why it is superior in a digital age of abundant information sharing.

George Siemens introduces Connectivism as a learning theory for the digital age. In this article, Siemens outlines the main principles and expresses the need for a new learning theory given today's technological advancements. Siemens begins by analyzing the three key learning theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism) in order to describe how these three theories have become outdated and no longer work for today's learner. With Connectivism, Siemens and Downes believe that learning no longer exists solely in one learner; instead, they assert that learning happens best when networks of people come together to create and pursue knowledge. Siemens and Downes explain that because the Internet has so much information, and because that information is constantly changing/updating, learning is not about the knowledge itself but the pursuit of knowledge as it emerges through connection, conversation, and inquiry.

Another great youtube video that describes connectivism in layman terms. I like this video because it explains easily how connectivism works by connecting people together through social sites to help people learn. The video also gives a brief description of Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism. A great find!

Joanna, I loved this YouTube video! It simplified Connectivism and Bob was fun! I loved when he made the connection. Thank you for sharing.

I agree with Matt above. This is a short and informative introduction to connectivism that touches on the major concepts of learning theory as well as implications in our time.

Views connectivism as a learning theory. Lists the 6 key skills that educators today should posses. These skills are: technical competence, experimentation of teaching methods, provide learners with autonomy, engage in creation, play and explore big ideas as well as capacity for complexity.

Author Sam Gist defines connectivism and explores some of the possible challenges that educators may face in adapting to this into their classrooms. He also highlights skills that may help educators embrace connectivist principles.

Faculty eCommons is a nice resource for educators incorporating social network learning within the classroom. This specific page adresses connectivsim; its meaning and use as well as connectivist pedagogies.

This report explores the status of 'connectivism' as a learning theory for the digital age and asks the question: Does connectivism still meet the needs of today's learners, and anticipate the needs of learners of the future?

Rolin Moe provides explanations and skepticism about connetivism, its history and role in education. I anticipate he will help define what MOOCs are, how they are used, what they provide learners, and the outcomes of connectivism as he completes his doctorate and continues in the field.

I really like how the author questioned collectivism as a learning theory, I am not saying he is right, but that it offers other insights I hadn't been considering. Good post!

Rolin Moe discusses whether connectivism is truly a new and singularly applicable theory of learning, or if it is merely an appendage to earlier theories such as constructivism.

Kop and Hill ask how existing learning theories meet the needs of today's learners and further question whether connectivisim is a learning theory. They do a very thorough study of learning theories to determine that "it does not seem that connectivism's contributions to the new paradigm warrant it being treated as a separate learning theory" (p. 11) even though it is important to the the development of new learning pedagogies.

Here Nop & Hill talk about how as information is constantly changing, its validity and accuracy may change over time. In addition to this information is constantly being added, deleted, and modified based upon the world around us. By extension, one's understanding of a subject, one's ability to learn about the subject in question, will also change over time and this information can be adapted and morphed through online educational networks. "Connectivism stresses that two important skills that contribute to learning are the ability to seek out current information, and the ability to filter secondary and extraneous information." Simply put, "The capacity to know is more critical than what is actually known". People begin to know and learn through these online networks where information can be openly shared, resourced, vetted, and attained.

This is a break down of connectivism. It looks at all parts of the theory and how it all works the in the learning environment. In the article, you will find the reasons why it's important, the founders of the theory, and why it's relevant in learning.

This paper reviews and relates the connections between learning theories commonly associated with constructivist education. These theories include active learning pedagogies, experiential learning, anchored instruction, situated cognition, activity theory, authentic learning, and connectivism. With the advance of active and connected learning pedagogies, the author recognizes the need for a system to effectively apply the theories through education technology design and teaching practices. I found the article a great review of the research and work done to define these different theories and instructional methods. As I am noticing with each article, this author attests to the need for further work and research required to organize these theories into a useful framework for educational technology projects and activities

Connectivism is controversial as a learning theory. Many people don't see it as one of the majors like behaviorism, cognitivism, or constructivism but those 3 are falling short in terms of describing what is happening in the digital age. Connectivism can be described as distributed learning or using information outside of your primary knowledge. The author thinks that Connectivism should be the new constructivism.

This article discusses several concerns with connectivism. One issue is the ability of learners to self-regulate. This is a higher order skill that many adults have not mastered, and some teachers are expecting it of primary age students. The author also indicates a debate among connectivism adherents about the value of "lurkers". Some see it as s valuable activity that introduces learners to the community gradually. Others see lurkers as leeches who are taking without giving in return.

This podcast features George Siemens discussing his Connectivism Theory and its relationship to Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism.

I like that it was Siemens talking about his theory in comparison to the other big 3 theories. It leaves no room for interpretation when it comes straight from the source itself.

Great resource, nice find!! I was struck by his insight that many education systems serve instruction instead of serving learning. Additionally, his description of the learning process as non linear resonates with me and furthered my understanding connectivism and CoPs. Thanks :)

This blog post discusses the role of the teacher in the light of a connected world.  Beginning with a look at how the teacher's role (and curriculum) become fragmented, the post then discusses the "new" role of teachers in such a connected environment.

Alyssa, I appreciate that fact that you highlight the role of the teacher here. I sometimes feel lost in the world of learning theory as I tend to teach between them. That is, my teaching is a mixture of many different theories. I really like the idea of the teacher being the filter.

This is a great article. It starts with business and but then moves into teaching and how connectivism changes out roles. I love how it states that learners are not confined to one person's beliefs. It brings up outcomes/assessment and relates them to real-life. Thank you!

This article draws a link between personal learning networks and connectivism. The author states that "PWTs allow learners to expand their capacity for knowledge by connecting to external resources", which is one of the principles of connectivism. A variety of personal learning networks are also described.

This tool helps me find some other social learning tools and helps define what a PLN is. It's a concept that I've always worked with and used, but never had a definite term for.

I like the idea of how a PLN's component parts can include (what the authors call) personal web technologies (PWTs). The authors feel that PWTs are especially unique because they create "a continuous, dynamic learning environment for individuals as they move from one role to the next." It is this special property of PWTs that gives individuals the power to "manage their own learning resources." The authors also briefly draw an interesting connection between PWTs and connectivism, but it isn't explored in depth. They do offer an in depth discussion of PWTs shortcomings and potential disadvantages. I especially like their warning that "learners who use PWTs must learn to question sources, verify information, compare and contrast various perspectives and become more independent."