Connectivism+-+Group+A

=Connectivism - Group A=

WL. (2008, September 24). One for CCK08. //WL.’s Photostream//. Retrieved October 20, 2009, from www.flickr.com/photos/wlonline/2829658906/ 
 * Connectivism** as a learning theory has some interesting support. George Siemens and Stephen Downesdeveloped this theory because they felt that technology had such a profound effect on society’s ability to communicate and learn that it did not cohesively fit in prior learning theories (ex. behaviorism, cognitivism and constructivism). Under this notion, I feel that constructivism is very similar. Constructivism says that humans learn by connecting new information from prior experiences (information). Siemens and Downes believe connectivism goes beyond and includes that in the “digital age” we also have stored information in non-human devices that are part of our human knowledge base because of our ability to acquire this information by being linked electronically.

Is connectivism a learning theory?
 In the article //Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestige of the past?// by Rita Kop and Adrian Hill it is suggested that connectivism meets the criteria of a learing theory because, "The model frames learning in terms of learners connecting to nodes on network, suggesting that knowledge does not reside in one location, but rather that it is a confluence of information arising out of multiple individuals seeking inquiry related to a common interest and providing feedback to one another." This means that prior educational theories do not adequately meet the role technology has on education today. Networking of information and individuals are one in the same in today's society. Connectivism falls under the same saying as, "You are only as strong as your weakest link (in this case network link)." Our brains are can be a resource in the palm of our hand if we are able to understand and utilize the connection to our laptop, iphone, etc.. Constructivism is very similar to this connection, but only includes knowledge and experiences store in the human brain of the individual.

Connectivism relevant to your teaching practice
According to [|Nancy White's slide show] on slideshow.net, she explains how connectivism is relevant to teaching in the classroom. She actually refers to it as teachers being stewards of technology. White describes stewards as "people with enough experience of the workings of a community to understand it's technological needs, and enough of experience with technology to take leadership in addressing those needs." In other words, the stewards facilitate the learning by opening up the communiation as well as to monitor content during the learning.

Building personal learning networks is something that will benefit every student, regardless of background, ability-level, or they type of school they attend (traditional or online). Being taught how to create a knowledge base and develop informed opinions is important no matter what subject is on the table. Connectivism ensures that students will be taught how to bring the knowledge they need to them and accurately judge its worth as it relates to them. In Wendy Drexler’s Connectivism in Plain English vodcast, teachers’ roles according to the theory are described as “learning architect, modeler, learning concierge, connected learning incubator, synthesizer, network sherpa, and change agent”. Clearly, connectivism is still ensuring that our students learn, but it puts the power and knowledge of //how// to do so in their own hands. Teachers become enablers of finding knowledge, instead of simply the bestowers of it.

Connectivism to support your students
The starting point for students would primarily depend on the individual. One's personal knowledge would be considered to be a network, which would feed into other networks, organizations, and institutions. These other networks, institutions, etc. feed back into the network, which continue to provide learning to the individual. This becomes a cycle for the individuals, the networks, and the organizations so they can work together fwhile providing knowledge development. This allows learners to remain current with information from their related field.

**Connectivism Criticism **
-Connectivism isn’t a theory of how human beings learn at all. It is purely pedagogy- a description of how to teach, not a description of how we learn. -Connectivism’s main principles are too similar to those present in other learning theories, such as objectivism, pragmatism, and interpretivism. -Connectivism mistakenly assumes that learning can reside in non-human appliances. (Verhagen)
 * Argument:**

 ** In the practical world we inhabit as educators, truly, there isn’t much to argue over. Teaching and learning are so intertwined; does it really matter if an interesting, practical approach to education is considered pedagogy or learning theory? Regardless of its classification, connectivism is certainly worth studying, simply because it emphasizes the importance of showing students how to gain knowledge for themselves, rather than putting the knowledge right into their hands. If connectivism’s main principles closely resemble those of other learning theories why shouldn’t that be considered a strength? Adopting the strongest tenets of other theories can only ensure that the connectivist approach to learning is bolstered by the discoveries that came before it regarding how we learn. To argue that connectivism does not work because learning cannot reside in non-human appliances is to argue a falsity. Ever since Guttenberg put his printing press to work, learning has resided in tomes of literature and reams of paper. It is the same for computers, software programs, the Internet, and the like. Whether or not connectivism is a new learning theory is insignificant. Whatever you’d like to call it, it is a method that can be extremely helpful to our students in today’s web 2.0 educational climate. (Siemens)
 * Rebuttal:



Reference:
Downes, Stephen. (February 3, 2007) "What Connectivism Is". __Half an Hour__.  <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[]

Drexler, Wendy. (2008) "Connectivism in Plain English". Online video. VodPod Site. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> [] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kop, R., & Hill,A. (2008).Connectivism: Learning theory of the future or vestige of the past? . [Electronic version]. International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning//, 9.3,// 1-13. <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Siemens, George. (Jan 2005) “Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age”. //International Journal of Instructional Technology// [] <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Verhagen, Plon. (November 11, 2006) “Connectivism: a new learning theory?”. []

Bogle, Mike. Student Experiences in CCK08. Online podcast. []