Connectivism

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Connectivism: Mapping Your Learning Connections 

Learning through a network of learning resources and knowledgeable individuals is different from the way I have learned in the past. In the past, I would listen to instructor instruction, read the course material, do homework, and take written tests. Creating a network of learning resources has been beneficial for many reasons. If you are in a field where ideas and tools change constantly, it is helpful to find current information that challenges old ways of thinking. Additionally, it is an open door to more resources and more learning opportunities than ever before. I now see this learning as something that is in my control and sets up a way of life to continuously seek new information, not just from reading course material, but staying up with blogs, classmates, and other online journals and articles relevant to my profession.

I typically use search engines such as Google Scholar and the Walden Library to search for new information from sources I can trust. I understand how social networking sites work, but have not yet built up a list of individuals and colleagues to share these sites. However, I do use them for my personal benefit. This way I can access these resources from any computer. I’m a fan of using del.icio.us for bookmarking my sites. I like the idea of Wikis and other collaborative tools, such as Google Docs, but have only used them a few times in my previous classes here at Walden.

To gain new knowledge, I seek answers by reviewing the course text, online articles and scholar journals. When I feel like I don’t understand something, I seek guidance from my teacher and classmates for assistances or find useful videos on YouTube or other links provided to us on the Course homepage.

I think if we understand how to find information that we can trust is reputable and learn how to share the knowledge and ideas, this personal learning network does support the ideas of connectivism.

Davis, Edmunds, and Kelly-Bateman (2008) discuss the principles of Connectivism listed below:

• Learning and knowledge rest 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.

Setting up a personal networking does fall in line with these principles, with the last principle listed above being most relevant in my opinion. I got my undergraduate degree in Web Design and Multimedia. In this field, having a personal networking is so important. Tools, software, and ideas change so fast it is easy to become out-dated. Being up-to-date is extremely important. Your personal network can support this and you are able to share your ideas (and collect ideas) from other professionals.

Reference

Davis, C, Edmunds, E, & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved December 4, 2011, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/