What is Connectivism? September 8, 2008
Posted by delliotthk in CCK08, Education.Tags: CCK08, Education
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George Siemens introduction “What is constructivism” helps clarify a few things for me.
Connectivism is more than simple relationships between people using technology but has three levels: 1. The neural network which is how the brain works 2. the conceptual level – how we make networks of ideas and 3. the external or social level – how we learn from each other whether face-to-face or across web laced universes.
This implies a relation between individual reflection and learning community. Several questions come to mind.
1. What would the ideal dynamic between these various levels of connectivity look like? When watching young kids learn (you can see why Piaget would get excited) there seems to be constant action which you know is influencing the reflection and learning which is harder to observe. Does that change as we age or does learning efficacy always imply a fast dynamic between neural and conceptual connections and external connections? (video games)
2. Where do concepts come from? Might this be the strength of “traditional” learning? It can get complex. There are a few books I have read again and again yet when discussed in a social or external environment I wake up to new meanings as if I had not even read the book once.
3. In the chaos of competing information spheres and tools, how do you (should you) select or prioritize? I just can’t seem to understand the sense of Twitter, am mystified by Second Life but really appreciate Aggregators. Why am I drawn this way? How can I (should I) relate to those who live with totally different understandings of networking environments?
This course has already forced me to reconstruct my igoogle and push me into new constructs. Great fun.
Hi David,
I’m still grappling with the first two questions you mentioned, so I don’t have much to contribute there just yet. However in terms of question 3 I do have a few thoughts.
To me the function of both online and offiline tools is to facilitate my ongoing connections with my various networks. When I say “network” here by the way, I mean it in the broader sense of all the people I interact with, and not just networks in a Connectivism sense (though there is certainly that element as well).
The purpose of the tools to me then is dependent on context and ultimately a very personal decision. Certain applications are appropriate and relevant in certain contexts but not in others.
Basically I see these tools as facilitating mechanisms for the broader purpose of interaction and discussion, rather than a destination in and of themselves. So personally my choice of tools is determined by the ultimate objective I need them to facilitate – including the people I need to connect with, the nature of the connection, as well as a whole slew of other social factors.
Certainly technical elements will be among them – including comfort levels and usage preferences (not just our opinions but those of whom we wish to connect with) – but I think these are only some of the factors that inform the final decision of what tool or environment to use.
Thats my 2 ยข anyway
Cheers,
Mike
Thank you for simplifying the three elements of conectivism for me – I’m starting to get closer to understanding what it is now
Like Mike, I feel unable to discuss the first two questions. As for my use of technology, I guess I am like Mike – my choice of tool depends on what I am trying to achieve and my comfort level with that particular tool. It also depends on my access to the supporting technology eg Second Life could become a very important tool but Internet access and broadband width limits a lot of people’s interactions with SL.
Thanks for writing Sarah. I commented on your blog about your wiki based e-Portfolio. It makes so much sense for a professional like yourself. Do you think this could be a process undergrads would/could engage in? They have no trouble with the networking of Facebook, text messages, twitters and phones but would they need insitutional support to go further?
Yes, I think that undergrads would need support to go further. My daughter is 20 & in her first year at uni. She is exactly as you describe: into MSN, FB and texting. But she hasn’t engaged with any of the technologies that I have recommended with the aim of supporting her learning like social bookmarking or reflective blogging. But I do think it’s a balance between using the technologies they are familiar with, yet avoiding the ‘creepy treehouse’ syndrome.