Connectivism has been developed by George Siemens and Stephen Downes based on their analysis of the limitations of traditional learning theories to explain the effect technology has had on how we live, how we communicate, and how we learn.

1. Introduction to
Connectivism
Presentation by
Michael Wilder

2. Contents
• Overview
• Video Presentation
• Teaching & Learning Strategies
• Internet Hotlist
• Internet Treasure Hunt
• Additional Resources
• References

3. Overview
Connectivism has been
developed by George Siemens
and Stephen Downes based on
their analysis of the limitations
of traditional learning
theories to explain the effect
technology has had on how we
live, how we communicate,
and how we learn.
From Wikipedia

4. Overview
According to co-developer Stephen
Downes (2007), connectivism
posits that “knowledge is
distributed across a network of
connections, and therefore that
learning consists of the ability to
construct and traverse those
networks.
From What Connectivism Is

5. Overview
In connectivism, there is no real concept of
transferring knowledge, making knowledge, or
building knowledge. Rather, the activities we
undertake when we conduct practices in order
to learn are more like growing or developing
ourselves and our society in certain
(connected) ways.

6. Overview
• Learning is a process of connecting specialized
nodes or information sources.
• Capacity to know is more crucial 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.
From Stephen Downes

7. Video Presentation
George Siemens, University of Manitoba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5-Wk2cwb68

8. Teaching & Learning Strategies
Often associated with online
learning, connectivist approaches
to pedagogy often emphasize
modeling and demonstration as a
teaching strategy and practice
and reflection as a learning
technique. Although not
necessarily a connectivist
strategy, some course content has
involved threaded discussion,
blog posts, and synchronous
meetings.
Image by Alec Couros

9. Internet Hotlist
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listconnectimi1.html

10. Internet Treasure Hunt
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/huntconnectimi.html

11. Additional Resources
• An Introduction to Connective Knowledge
Article by Stephen Downes providing an overview of
connective knowledge.
• Connectivism and Connective Knowledge
Online Course 2009 support wiki
A twelve-week course that will explored the concepts
of connectivism and connective knowledge and
explored their application as a framework for theories
of teaching and learning.
• Connectivism: Learning conceptualized
through the lens of today’s world
Slideshare presentation by George Siemens

12. References
Connectivism (learning theory). (2010, May 29). In Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia. Retrieved July 10, 2010, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connectivism_%28learning_theory%29
Downes, S. (2007). What Connectivism Is. Connectivism Conference forum.
Retrieved June 13, 2010, from
http://halfanhour.blogspot.com/2007/02/what-connectivism-is.html
Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: Learning as Network-Creation. ASTD
learningCircuits. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from
http://www.astd.org/LC/2005/1105_seimens.htm
Siemens, G. (2009). What is Connectivism? Connectivism and Connective
Knowledge Online Course 2009 support wiki. Retrieved June 13, 2010,
from http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=anw8wkk6fjc_14gpbqc2dt

13. Credits/Contacts
This presentation made by:
Michael Wilder
Learning Technologies Specialist
E-mail|Web Site