Connectivism
Posted by Della Smith-Rawlins at Friday, 23 August 2013
20:57:43 o'clock WST
Some of the ideas in the Siemen clip make sense to me and I see them as
important to creating a productive learning environment, especially in high
schools. The theory seems to encourage a move away from control and to
encouraging guided exploration. This recognizes that students can make
their own meaning which relates to prior learning and experiences. They select
material that is within the boundaries of the task but of most interest to
them. I understand connectivism to be focusing on the space where shared
learning takes place, the point where understanding is reached, where new
information is introduced and accepted. It relies on openness and a desire to
accept new information as a result of connection. I am quite confused about the
comments Siemen makes about technology having knowledge etc. This is something
I need to give more consideration. I may very well have stacoma (?) about this
and need to do some more shared learning in order to accept his idea.
I see connectivism as related to Vygotsky's theory of shared learning. Dunaway (2011) explains that connectivism is "accessing information from multiple sources and the development of skills for evaluating connection between different information sources in a dynamic network" (p.676). This explanation makes connectivism appealing to me because it suggests that knowledge is no longer owned and controlled but is available from multiple perspectives. The reason this appeals to me is that a wider reading allows for higher learning and recognition of different attitudes. (It reminds me of arguments about the Canon vs contemporary lit). A learner can then take a range of perspectives and synthesize to reach a temporary conclusion. As more information is accessed earlier understanding can be expanded and this encourages ongoing reflection and flexibility.
I am considering wikis as valuable tools to support this approach. I need to give this further thought.
Dunaway, M. (2011). Connectivism: Learning Theory and Pedagogical Practice for Networked Information Landscapes. Reference Services Revies, Vol 391ss4, pp. 675-685.
Vygotsky, L. (1978), Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
I see connectivism as related to Vygotsky's theory of shared learning. Dunaway (2011) explains that connectivism is "accessing information from multiple sources and the development of skills for evaluating connection between different information sources in a dynamic network" (p.676). This explanation makes connectivism appealing to me because it suggests that knowledge is no longer owned and controlled but is available from multiple perspectives. The reason this appeals to me is that a wider reading allows for higher learning and recognition of different attitudes. (It reminds me of arguments about the Canon vs contemporary lit). A learner can then take a range of perspectives and synthesize to reach a temporary conclusion. As more information is accessed earlier understanding can be expanded and this encourages ongoing reflection and flexibility.
I am considering wikis as valuable tools to support this approach. I need to give this further thought.
Dunaway, M. (2011). Connectivism: Learning Theory and Pedagogical Practice for Networked Information Landscapes. Reference Services Revies, Vol 391ss4, pp. 675-685.
Vygotsky, L. (1978), Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
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