Connectivism

About connectivism

Connectivism is a new learning paradigm and a learning theory introduced in 2005 by George Siemens. This theory attempts to approach learning and knowledge in context of technological improvements during the last few decades, since impact of this achievements cannot be ignored.

Siemens' connectivism incorporates ideas from three areas: chaos theory, networks and complexity and self-organization to explain his theory and expands terms of learning and knowledge. He views on the learning process, in terms of nodes and links between them, as on establishing connections (links) between different nodes. Nodes can represent virtually anything (a community, individual, ...), and the stronger the connection is, the faster the information will flow between the nodes. Aggregated nodes form the network, but the network itself can only have limited influence on the nodes.

According to Siemens' “Connectivism: Learning as Network-Creation”, elements and characteristics of a network include:

Content (data or information)

Interaction (tentative connection forming)

Static nodes (stable knowledge structure)

Dynamic nodes (continually changing based on new data, since knowledge can and does change over time)

Self-updating nodes (nodes tightly linked to original information source)

Emotive elements (emotions that influence the prospect of connection)

Connections between the nodes can depend on various factors which make them stronger or weaker:

Motivation - impacts individuals determination to foster deeper connections

Emotions - affect our evaluation of nodes and allow existence of contradictory perspectives

Exposure - nodes grow and develop through forming connections to other nodes

Patterning -

Logic

Experience

Learning in connectivism is a process of connecting specialized nodes (information sources). Learning, according to him, can also reside outside a person (within a database or an organization). Purpose of connectivist learning is current, up-to-date knowledge.

Learning theories:

Other important contributors:

Stephen Downes

Critic

Bibliography

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