Connectivism
Overview
Connectivism is a relatively new learning theory and still continues to grow. The theory looks deeply into the use of social media to make connections and developing learning strategies. The process of learning does not just involve an individual but it happens across networks and the fast flow of information. The process of learning how to acquire the necessary information is what covers the learning portion.
Connectivism is a relatively new learning theory and still continues to grow. The theory looks deeply into the use of social media to make connections and developing learning strategies. The process of learning does not just involve an individual but it happens across networks and the fast flow of information. The process of learning how to acquire the necessary information is what covers the learning portion.
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Key Concepts
Connectivism as a learning theory
The idea of connectivism as a learning theory covers the idea of how we acquire fast-flowing information. We live in a world where information is constantly being passed around between everyone, especially through social media context. Retaining all sorts of information can be a challenge and we need to think about what should be considered important. For instance, rather than retaining what a celebrity did during his/her day is not important; but retaining a fact like not using an electronic device while it's charging can be considered important since it is injurious to our health.
Connectivism and the Use of Technology
In order for connectivism to be successful, the use of technology is paramount. There are several types of resources available online that will help encourage connectivism. Many of these categories can fit into smaller categories such as social networks and virtual platforms. Social networks are websites such as facebook and twitter, who allow people from all walks of life to connect with each other. There are also virtual platforms such as google and youtube, which are open source websites that allow anyone to post and/or search whatever material they choose. The use of these technologies allows people to connect online to share their ideas, and learn from each other. The availability of a wide variety of information allows the user to choose what they want to learn and gives them choice on how they want to learn it. Virtual reality and videos can also be used to create a new kind of online learning platform where people can interact in a virtual space to learn and use each other's ideas to solve a problem.
Challenges Facing Connectivism
As with any learning theory, connectivism faces its own unique challenges. The first and arguably the most important is the issue of critical literacy. Since the basis of connectivism is learning through online networks, one needs to be able to think critically about the source of the information. Connectivism requires learners to be autonomous. Since the learning is self-directed, it requires the learner to have at least some autonomy. Without this, learning through connectivism will be tough. Access to technology is also a big issue for connectivism. If learners do not have access to technology, or access to the necessary platforms (Youtube, facebook, etc) they will not be able to learn via connectivity theories.
Connectivism as a learning theory
The idea of connectivism as a learning theory covers the idea of how we acquire fast-flowing information. We live in a world where information is constantly being passed around between everyone, especially through social media context. Retaining all sorts of information can be a challenge and we need to think about what should be considered important. For instance, rather than retaining what a celebrity did during his/her day is not important; but retaining a fact like not using an electronic device while it's charging can be considered important since it is injurious to our health.
Connectivism and the Use of Technology
In order for connectivism to be successful, the use of technology is paramount. There are several types of resources available online that will help encourage connectivism. Many of these categories can fit into smaller categories such as social networks and virtual platforms. Social networks are websites such as facebook and twitter, who allow people from all walks of life to connect with each other. There are also virtual platforms such as google and youtube, which are open source websites that allow anyone to post and/or search whatever material they choose. The use of these technologies allows people to connect online to share their ideas, and learn from each other. The availability of a wide variety of information allows the user to choose what they want to learn and gives them choice on how they want to learn it. Virtual reality and videos can also be used to create a new kind of online learning platform where people can interact in a virtual space to learn and use each other's ideas to solve a problem.
Challenges Facing Connectivism
As with any learning theory, connectivism faces its own unique challenges. The first and arguably the most important is the issue of critical literacy. Since the basis of connectivism is learning through online networks, one needs to be able to think critically about the source of the information. Connectivism requires learners to be autonomous. Since the learning is self-directed, it requires the learner to have at least some autonomy. Without this, learning through connectivism will be tough. Access to technology is also a big issue for connectivism. If learners do not have access to technology, or access to the necessary platforms (Youtube, facebook, etc) they will not be able to learn via connectivity theories.
Practical Suggestions for Educators
Teach learners about Critical Literacy
Connectivism deals with connecting and networking with others. As we connect the nodes, we need to keep in mind that we do not connect with the wrong people. Teachers should create awareness for students on the number of people who create fake social media accounts to grasp people’s information. If students are not aware of the person sending the friend request, then they should not consider adding them. Students should not be getting themselves into trouble by dealing with the people and information.
Teach learners about good digital citizenship
When using connectivism as a source of learning in the classroom, make sure the students know what it means to be a good digital citizen. Connectivist learning means that learners will be interacting online with other people as a form of learning. This means that the learners need to know how to appropriately use the online platforms, and what behaviour is and is not appropriate.
Give clear instruction on what you expect from learners
Giving the students clear expectations will help the students say on task, and it helps the educator assess and evaluate the learners. Included in these instructions should be the online platforms that are applicable to the assessment. This will narrow down the amount of information the educator and learners need to go through in order to learn the desired materials. It also gives an idea of what sources the learners can (and should) use.
Teach learners about Critical Literacy
Connectivism deals with connecting and networking with others. As we connect the nodes, we need to keep in mind that we do not connect with the wrong people. Teachers should create awareness for students on the number of people who create fake social media accounts to grasp people’s information. If students are not aware of the person sending the friend request, then they should not consider adding them. Students should not be getting themselves into trouble by dealing with the people and information.
Teach learners about good digital citizenship
When using connectivism as a source of learning in the classroom, make sure the students know what it means to be a good digital citizen. Connectivist learning means that learners will be interacting online with other people as a form of learning. This means that the learners need to know how to appropriately use the online platforms, and what behaviour is and is not appropriate.
Give clear instruction on what you expect from learners
Giving the students clear expectations will help the students say on task, and it helps the educator assess and evaluate the learners. Included in these instructions should be the online platforms that are applicable to the assessment. This will narrow down the amount of information the educator and learners need to go through in order to learn the desired materials. It also gives an idea of what sources the learners can (and should) use.
Resources
- Bates, A. (2015). Teaching in a Digital Age. https://opentextbc.ca/teachinginadigitalage/. p 64-67
- Bodekaer, Michael. “This Virtual Lab Will Revolutionize Science Class.” TED, TED, Oct. 2015, www.ted.com/talks/michael_bodekaer_this_virtual_lab_will_revolutionize_science_class.
- Kop, R. (2011). The challenges to connectivist learning on open online networks: Learning experiences during a massive open online course. The International Review Of Research In Open And Distributed Learning, 12(3), 19-38. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v12i3.882
- Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 2(1), 3-10.
Ambrose, S. A., Bridges, M. W., DiPietro, M., Lovett, M. C., & Norman, M. K. (2010). How learning works: 7 research-based principles for smart teaching.
San Francisco, CA: Jossey-BassClark, D. (2004). Reigeluth`s elaboration theory for instructional design. The Performance Juxtaposition Site.
Retrieved from http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/learning/id/elaboration_theory.html
Poppas, C. (2014, December 6). Instructional design models and theories: elaboration theory. [Web log post]. Retrieved
from http://elearningindustry.com/elaboration-theory
Reigeluth, C., Merrill, M. D., Wilson, B., & Spiller, R. (1980). The elaboration theory of instruction: a model for sequencing and
synthesizing instruction. Instructional Science, 9(3). doi:10.1007/bf00177327