Connectivism and Connective Knowledge Online Course
George Siemens and Stephen Downes are facilitating this MOOC (massive open online course).
The Connectivism and Connective Knowledge Online website contains all of the information and links to participate in the course.
Pre-course preparation included an ‘Articulate’ presentation by George, introducing the structure of the course and some of the ‘expectations’.
Week 1 – What is ‘connectivism’?
Is it a learning theory? How does it differ from constructivism? Is it descriptive or prescriptive? Or is it fraud (comment #18)?
Readings for This Week
Little Boxes, Glocalization and Networked Individualism (.pdf)The Connectivism and Connective Knowledge Online website contains all of the information and links to participate in the course.
Pre-course preparation included an ‘Articulate’ presentation by George, introducing the structure of the course and some of the ‘expectations’.
Week 1 – What is ‘connectivism’?
Is it a learning theory? How does it differ from constructivism? Is it descriptive or prescriptive? Or is it fraud (comment #18)?
Readings for This Week
Bill Kerr - Critique of connectivism
Other useful resources for This Week
14 minute presentation: What is connectivism? By George
Does connectivism add something not covered by existing theories of learning?
How does Connectivism differ from other learning theories?
Viplav Baxi – ‘CCK08 – What is learning theory?
Notes from readings:
Downes, “Connectivism and its Critics; What Connectivism is not”, (10.09.09)
“learning it is not structured, controlled or processed”
Little Boxes, Glocalization and Networked Individualism:
“Glocalization” is a neologism meaning the combination of intense local and
extensive global interaction
Relationships are more selective. Networks now contain high proportions of people who enjoy one other. They contain low proportions of people who are forced to interact with each other because they are juxtaposed in the same neighborhood, kinship group, organization, or workplace.
Knowing how to network (on and offline) becomes a human capital resource.
networked individualism - People remain connected, but as individuals rather than being rooted in the home bases of work unit and household
no real reference to ‘online social networks’ like Facebook & mySpace
our means of connecting has changed – little boxes, glocalisation, networked individual
interconnected & disconnected world
avalanche of information – knowing how to filter information through out networks is so important – building the ‘right’ network for the right information ie socially networked is a valuable skill
What is the Unique Idea in Connectivism?
All ideas have a heritage. All concepts have roots.
As Barabasi states, networks are everywhere. We just need an eye for them.
What connectivism is
You need to grant the learner autonomy within the environment
'to teach is to model and demonstrate, to learn is to practice and reflect.'
Learning Theory or Pastime of the Self-Amused?
connectivism …. network-based learning
Bill Kerr - Critique of connectivism“Technology should be like oxygen--ubiquitous, transparent, and necessary”
: What is connectivism? 14 minute presentation by George
5 principles to confirm the foundation of any learning theory:
– need to externalize to make sense
- frameworks and structures for sense making
- need to socialise & negotiate around knowledge
- note & recognizing ‘patterns’
- desire to extend our humanity through technology
Connectivism - networked learning – knowledge is networked and distributed in nature – knowing is a particular state of connectedness – developing knowledge is complex and chaotic – to better understand learning we need to better understand why and how connections form – and use this to design classrooms/learning
Types of network learning
- neural-biological – learning is the formation of new neural connections,
- conceptual – depth of understanding – relationships between concepts & ideas – related to existing understanding of knowledge/information
- external -social – how we connect with others and information
Connections create meaning
Learning – ability to understand is related to how well and how consistently we are connected to certain ideas and concepts – how often we come across a concept and how they are connected – strong & weak ties – new information comes from ‘weak’ ties due to difference to the individual’s ideals – foundation of networks to develop new knowledge
Networks of learning – technology increases our participation in the create of knowledge – anyone and everyone can create knowledge – increased abundance of knowledge – more voices of opinion – any idea or concept can be aired – simulate experiences
Does connectivism add something not covered by existing theories of learning?
How does Connectivism differ from other learning theories?
Viplav Baxi – ‘CCK08 – What is learning theory?
Notes from readings:
Downes, “Connectivism and its Critics; What Connectivism is not”, (10.09.09)
“learning it is not structured, controlled or processed”
Little Boxes, Glocalization and Networked Individualism:
“Glocalization” is a neologism meaning the combination of intense local and
extensive global interaction
Relationships are more selective. Networks now contain high proportions of people who enjoy one other. They contain low proportions of people who are forced to interact with each other because they are juxtaposed in the same neighborhood, kinship group, organization, or workplace.
Knowing how to network (on and offline) becomes a human capital resource.
networked individualism - People remain connected, but as individuals rather than being rooted in the home bases of work unit and household
no real reference to ‘online social networks’ like Facebook & mySpace
our means of connecting has changed – little boxes, glocalisation, networked individual
interconnected & disconnected world
avalanche of information – knowing how to filter information through out networks is so important – building the ‘right’ network for the right information ie socially networked is a valuable skill
What is the Unique Idea in Connectivism?
All ideas have a heritage. All concepts have roots.
As Barabasi states, networks are everywhere. We just need an eye for them.
What connectivism is
You need to grant the learner autonomy within the environment
'to teach is to model and demonstrate, to learn is to practice and reflect.'
Learning Theory or Pastime of the Self-Amused?
connectivism …. network-based learning
Bill Kerr - Critique of connectivism“Technology should be like oxygen--ubiquitous, transparent, and necessary”
: What is connectivism? 14 minute presentation by George
5 principles to confirm the foundation of any learning theory:
– need to externalize to make sense
- frameworks and structures for sense making
- need to socialise & negotiate around knowledge
- note & recognizing ‘patterns’
- desire to extend our humanity through technology
Connectivism - networked learning – knowledge is networked and distributed in nature – knowing is a particular state of connectedness – developing knowledge is complex and chaotic – to better understand learning we need to better understand why and how connections form – and use this to design classrooms/learning
Types of network learning
- neural-biological – learning is the formation of new neural connections,
- conceptual – depth of understanding – relationships between concepts & ideas – related to existing understanding of knowledge/information
- external -social – how we connect with others and information
Connections create meaning
Learning – ability to understand is related to how well and how consistently we are connected to certain ideas and concepts – how often we come across a concept and how they are connected – strong & weak ties – new information comes from ‘weak’ ties due to difference to the individual’s ideals – foundation of networks to develop new knowledge
Networks of learning – technology increases our participation in the create of knowledge – anyone and everyone can create knowledge – increased abundance of knowledge – more voices of opinion – any idea or concept can be aired – simulate experiences
Posts
3 comments:
Thanks for this fabulous summary, Sarah
Are you participating in this course Sarah?
I'm really enjoying it - very thought provoking. Allison
I was going to do it 'properly' but just do not have the time, so am trying to dip in and out and apply it to my teaching & research, but not in any systematic way.
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