1. Connectivism – Modelling 21st Century Learning Frances Bell, Learning Technology Fellow, Faculty of Business,Law and the Built Environment, University of Salford http://www.edu.salford.ac.uk/blogs/blbe http://francesbell.com/ Presentation given at 5 th Education in a Chnaging Environment Connference, University of Salford 16 Sept 2009
We live in an increasingly connected world, with a significant majority of households connected to the Internet (61% in 2007), and mobile Internet use growing rapidly. Sales of the iPhone alone generated over 1 million mobile Internet users by February 2009. We no longer expect our students to go to a computer room to gain Internet access – they have it with them in the classroom,as Mike Wesch’s video graphically illustrates.
Principles of connectivism: Learning and knowledge rests in diversity of opinions. Learning is a process of connecting specialized nodes or information sources. Learning may reside in non-human appliances. Capacity to know more is more critical than what is currently known Nurturing and maintaining connections is needed to facilitate continual learning. Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill. Currency (accurate, up-to-date knowledge) is the intent of all connectivist learning activities. Decision-making is itself a learning process. Choosing what to learn and the meaning of incoming information is seen through the lens of a shifting reality. While there is a right answer now, it may be wrong tomorrow due to alterations in the information climate affecting the decision. the sharing of cognitive tasks between people and technology coping with rapid change in the ‘information ecology’ consideration of the impact of theories of networks, complexity and chaos
Connectivism as a theory in use by around 2200 people who engaged in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Connectivism and Connective Knowledge, led by Downes and Siemens between September and December 2008. Data was obtained from participant observation and searches of publicly available archives and search engines. We found that although participation was variable, significant numbers of participants were able to engage in the course developing and refining their understanding and interpretation of connectivism, whilst applying its principles. A significant network of blogs, forums, social networks and personal contacts was created within which individuals created and extended their personal learning networks online. We can present examples of this which delegates could consider applying in their own practice.
“ The Networked Student was inspired by CCK08, a Connectivism course offered by George Siemens and Stephen Downes during fall 2008. It depicts an actual project completed by Wendy Drexler's high school students. The Networked Student concept map was inspired by Alec Couros' Networked Teacher. I hope that teachers will use it to help their colleagues, parents, and students understand networked learning in the 21st century. ”
However, connectivism is poorly linked to some related theories and would benefit from extending itself as a knowledge network.