WhatIsConnectivism. How prominent learning theories differ from connectivism. What Is Connectivism? A quick introduction to the topic of Connectivism. Siemens interview on connectivism « Rick's Café Canadien. Posted by: Richard Schwier | August 15, 2008 George Siemens joined me for an interview about Connectivism, a theory about learning that draws on network theory, social networking, and social constructivism among other things. This interview discusses what connectivism is and where it came from, as well as its unique features and applications to education. I was producing this for my class on Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Educational Technology, but I know it deserves a much wider audience. George was his usual articulate self, and he gave a sparkling overview of connectivism in this 25 minute video.
It’s just talking head video captured from a Skype conversation — two talking heads as a matter of fact — but his ideas are rich, and it’s always nice to see the person behind the ideas. Don’t be distracted by the 30 seconds when I moved the video out of the screen capture space. Like this: Like Loading... Connectivism and Connective Knowledge (2008) Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. Editor’s Note: This is a milestone article that deserves careful study.
Connectivism should not be con fused with constructivism. George Siemens advances a theory of learning that is consistent with the needs of the twenty first century. His theory takes into account trends in learning, the use of technology and networks, and the diminishing half-life of knowledge. It combines relevant elements of many learning theories, social structures, and technology to create a powerful theoretical construct for learning in the digital age.
George Siemens Introduction Behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism are the three broad learning theories most often utilized in the creation of instructional environments. Learners as little as forty years ago would complete the required schooling and enter a career that would often last a lifetime. “One of the most persuasive factors is the shrinking half-life of knowledge. Some significant trends in learning: Background An Alternative Theory Connectivism. What is the unique idea in Connectivism? This site has been created to foster discussion on how our thinking, learning, and organizational activities are impacted through technology and societal changes. Since the original publication of Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age, I've been approached by many people requesting additional thinking and discussion.
Four tools are available to provide dialogue: Blog for my personal reflective thoughtsWiki for collaborative content creationDiscussion forums for discussion on issues impacted by a connectivist view of learningEmail list for discussions on technology, networks and learning Most resources on this site are intended for public viewing, but contributing to the wiki or discussion forums requires registration. Please create your account by clicking the "join" text on the top, right-hand corner. If you are interested in general learning and technology trends, please visit my elearnspace site.
Connectivism and its Critics: What Connectivism Is Not. Posted to the CCK08 Blog, September 10, 2008. There are some arguments that argue, essentially, that the model we are demonstrating here would not work in a traditional academic environment. - Lemire - Fitzpatrick - Kashdan These arguments, it seems to me, are circular. Yes, we know that in schools and universities students are led through a formalized and designed instructional process. But none of this proves that the current practice is *better* that what is being described and demonstrated here. Right now we are engaged in the process of defining what connectivism is.
George Siemens offers a useful chart comparing Connectivism with some other theories. From this, we can see that, according to connectivism: - transfer occurs through a process of connecting. What Connectivism Is. Posted to the Connectivism Conference forum (which hits a login window - click 'login as guest' (middle of the left-hand column) - I'm sorry, and I have already complained to the conference organizer). At its heart, connectivism is the thesis that knowledge is distributed across a network of connections, and therefore that learning consists of the ability to construct and traverse those networks. It shares with some other theories a core proposition, that knowledge is not acquired, as though it were a thing. Hence people see a relation between connectivism and constructivism or active learning (to name a couple). Where connectivism differs from those theories, I would argue, is that connectivism denies that knowledge is propositional.
That is to say, these other theories are 'cognitivist', in the sense that they depict knowledge and learning as being grounded in language and logic. Connectivism is, by contrast, 'connectionist'. Response to comments by Tony Forster Response (1) to Bill Kerr.