GroupForConnectivism

= Group For Connectivism =

**__Position Statement__**:
Considering the thought that the knowledge we have available to us right now is and always will be obsolete and that the abilities to update that knowledge is enhanced with social networking(face to face/via Web 2.0), it is only common sense that more opportunities for a person to interact with others is needed to increase that knowledge. Those connections are increased through the use of Web 2.0 technology so the wise use of those connections are essential to learn.


 * What is Connectivism? [[image:DSC_0226_te.JPG width="299" height="199" align="left" caption="Photo by Deb Hibbard"]]**

as a Learning Theory
[|2005 Paper on Connectivism]

useful construct...does it resonate?__**
 * __Is Connectivism a learning theory, a trendy idea, a strategy for learning? Or, Who Cares what it is....is it a

A common definition of learning describes it as a process that weaves together cognitive, emotional, and environmental influences and experiences that facilitate ones getting, enhancing or making changes in one's knowledge, skills, values, and world views (Illeris, 2000; Ormorod 1995). A learning theory explains how the process occurs. Siemen's theory, we believe, explains how this process occurs and Connectivism therefore is a learning theory.

If theories are historically and culturally located as Siemens and others propose, it seems only reasonable that a new theory of learning would come to fruition during this period of a never-before-seen explosion of accessible information. Connectivism is a theory of learning that would not have resonated 20 years ago as it does now for those of us who are desperately trying to assess in our lives the role of the internet and all that comes with it.

For an exceptionally interesting video on all of the changes that have been happening in the world with particular attention to the internet take a look at [|Shift Happens]

[|Bill Kerr] His biggest criticism seems to be that we already have enough theories and we don't need anymore! [|Plon Verhagen] A version of Kerr's objection that the main elements of the theory of Connectivism can already be found in other learning theories, Connectivism is pedagogy and not learning theory and learning cannot reside in inanimate things.
 * __What are the critics saying....basically?__**

And those that support this new way of describing how learning occurs? [|Stephen Downes]

Other theories of learning have little or no role in their explanations of emotion, or other largely internal and difficult to quantify things like reflection and metathinking (Siemens, Learning Theory or Pastime of the Self-Amused, p.8).Who cannot remember a time when you were distracted, sad and could not understand a passage in a book that later, when the emotional dust had settled, you understood every word and nuance that had previously escaped you? A therapist working with students or a teacher noticing a teenager’s performance on a quiz after an obvious break up, we all know that emotions impact learning both positively and negatively. That this theory addresses this factor makes it more relevant.
 * __Relevance to educators and those working with students in education.__**

Some individuals may claim that online learning (Connectivism) lacks relevance due to its lack of structure and inabability to control the flow of learning that is exhibited in the traditional "Face to Face" learning process. This is not true as you can tell by the system set up in the linked site in this section. Siemens and crew shows in this screencast a system of learning that exhibits structure and directs learning in ways that not only delivers information but requires many responses by the learner. These responses allows for interaction between other learners so learning is evolving between many sources both human and technological. This type of learning allows for constant updating of information which is not true with the traditional classroom style of learning. When speaking of "support your students", this learning is certainly more advanced and suitable in today's world. [|Course Format] (format of course layout) This short screencast is a good starting point for learning "What is connectivism". It spans many months of learning so does not need to be watched in its entirety. It shows the mechanics (daily, weekly schedules) of what an online course might look like. This was helpful to me to see how an online course might be organized.
 * __Does connectivism support your students?__**

The most compelling parts of this theory are the ones that I can put into practice in my real life. My personal life which is more immediate has technical abilities that are different than the ones that my students have. My teaching life has needed filters that do not allow the same accessibility that I have in my personal life so there is always the possibility that the lessons I create at home can not be shared in the classroom due to the filters that are attached within my district. This requires a close monitoring of systems that are setup outside the district as to whether they work within the classroom. Without close scrutiny of the mechanics of online learning, many opportunities to learn are lost. People become frustrated with the little twists that connectivism create. The less experience an individual has with technology the more frustrated they become. This is a difficulty that needs to be overcome. Also the availability of hardware and technical support is not distributed equally across the learning environments which creates difficulty in the connective process. This has to be resolved and will be as the theorist start to implement their ideas into the "real life" systems.
 * __Are parts of the theory more compelling or relevant to you than others?__**

Theory and the terms attached to it is always confusing to me. However, without it where would you start with any new situation? Dan
 * __Are there parts of the theory which you find confusing__**

Some of them, Dan, seem confusing, I agree. This is a great concept, though. I also agree that without it where would you start.

External Links:
Siemens, George. August 10, 2005. "Connectivism:Learning as Network-Creation". [] Karl Fisch and Scott McLeod.June 2007. "Shift Happens" Video. [] Kerr, Bill. December 26, 2006. "A Challenge to Connectivism"[] Plon Vehagen.November 11, 2006. "Connectivism: A NEw Learning Theory?". [] Stephen Downes. February 3, 2007. "What Connectivism Is". [] George Siemens and Stephen Downes."Connectivism and Connective Knowledge". []