What is Connectivism?
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Credit: Clix |
Connectivism
is a learning theory promoted by Stephen Downes and George Siemens.
Called a learning theory for a digital age, it seeks to explain complex
learning in a rapidly changing social digital world. In our
technological and networked world, educators should consider the work of
thinkers like Siemens and Downes. In the theory, learning occurs
through connections within networks. The model uses the concept of a
network with nodes and connections to define learning. Learners
recognize and interpret patterns and are influenced by the diversity of
networks, strength of ties and their context. Transfer occurs by
connecting to and adding nodes and growing personal networks. (Connectivism
Wikiversity) According to George Siemens, "Connectivism is the
integration of principles explored by chaos, network, and complexity and
self-organization theories. Learning is a process that occurs within
nebulous environments of shifting core elements – not entirely under the
control of the individual. Learning (defined as actionable knowledge)
can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a database),
is focused on connecting specialized information sets, and the
connections that enable us to learn more are more important than our
current state of knowing. Connectivism is driven by the understanding
that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New
information is continually being acquired. The ability to draw
distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. The
ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on
decisions made yesterday is also critical."
Siemen's Principles of connectivism:
- Learning and knowledge rests 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.
- Decision-making
is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of
incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality.
While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to
alterations in the information climate affecting the decision.
(Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age)
According to Siemens, learning is no
longer an individualistic activity. Knowledge is distributed across
networks. In our digital society, the connections and connectiveness
within networks lead to learning. Siemens and Downes have experimented
with Open Courses and both stress the importance of more open education.
See Siemens discussing the importance of connections and connectiveness
in open social learning below to the left and see the Networked Student
to the right.
George Siemens- Connectivism: Socializing Open Learning
Fuente: http://education-2020.wikispaces.com/Connectivism
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