Group items tagged

"About four years ago, I wrote an article on Learning Ecology, Communities, and Networks. In many ways, it was the start for me of what has become a somewhat sustained dialogue on teaching, learning, knowledge change, connectivism, and so on. Connectivism represents the act of learning as a network formation process (at an external, conceptual, and neural level …and, as I've stated previously, finds it's epistemological basis in part on Stephen's work with connective knowledge). Others have tackled the changes of technology with a specific emphasis on networked learning - Leigh Blackall, for example). And some have explored network learning from a standards perspective (Rob Koper). While not always obvious, there is a significant amount of work occurring on the subject of networked learning. What used to be the side show activity of only a few edubloggers now has the attention of researchers, academics, and conferences worldwide. Networked learning is popping up in all sorts of conference and book chapter requests - it's largely the heart of what's currently called web 2.0, and I fully expect it [networked learning] will outlive the temporary buzz and hype of all thing 2.0."

A (relatively) early discussion of the role of educator as curator published by George Siemens back in August 2007. I wonder if his perspective has changed since?

george siemens blog on connectivism, social and networked learning

"The Personal Learning Environment concept is relatively new and is often used interchangeably with Personal Learning Network. The earliest reference is attributed to George Siemens in his 2004 paper, Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. Downes and Attwell have also popularised the concept with Downes describing the PLE as "a tool that allows for a learner (or anyone) to engage in a distributed environment consisting of a network of people, services and resources" (2006, p23). Semantically, a personal learning environment and a personal learning network differ, with a network referring to connections and the interaction between them, and an environment referring to a broader definition that includes more passive tools and settings. The network and its broader socially constructed environment are interdependent, constantly shaping each other and unable to be separated."

"It's Not Information Overload. It's Filter Failure." Clay Shirky speaking and Web2.0 Expo in 2008 between "Here comes everybody" and "Cognitive surplus". There was an interesting, somewhat negative, reaction from George Siemens when this video was mentioned in the Friday discussion ... Shared with PLENK2010 by Kimberly in the "Adventurous Learning" blog (http://learningpirate.blogspot.com)

I think this video was selected by Kimberly because the title chimed with the problems of coping with the amount of information that is being generated by the PLENK2010 MOOC. But it contains other interesting messages as well. For example the issue of privacy in social networks and issues around group work in social networks and the problems that may have for educational institutions.

"George Siemens, with Athabasca's Technology Enhanced Knowledge Research Institute, is best known for his development of the pedagogical model of networked learning known as Connectivism. He and Steven Downes have pioneered the development of massive open courses, in which many hundreds of students study and learn in open and networked contexts." - It's all about MOOCs like PLENK2010

George Siemens presents some findings about MOOCs

Achived session