Learning has become a “chaotic, complex, but holistic” (Siemens, 2006, p. vii) activity in the
digital world. For centuries learning has preceded in much the same fashion as
it always had. Learning involved receiving instruction from the teacher,
completing a couple of worksheets, and perhaps joining a couple of other
students in some sort of group learning project. After this the teacher might
assign a student to write a report on Pennsylvania, for example. The student
would then request a pass to the library where he or she would pour through
encyclopedias, atlases, and other printed materials until he or she had enough
information to write the report.
Today the scenario is a little different. Ask a student to
write a report on Pennsylvania, and the student will probably go straight to
Google. In fact, students are just as likely to surf the web on their
smartphones as they are on computers. Instead of reading a book, he or she
might converse with Pennsylvanian students live through various social media.
The Internet and technology in general, have changed the way that we learn.
This type of learning is essential in a world where knowledge is decentralized (Siemens, 2006, p. 92) .
Connectivism contends that knowledge is composed of
connections and networks (Siemens,
2008, p. 10) .
I didn’t realize how much I learn from those around me until I began sketching
my own learning network that I’ve developed through the years. Because
knowledge is decentralized, accessing that knowledge requires a vast network of
nodes. Developing these nodes is a key component of learning.
References
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing Knowledge. Creative
Commons. Retrieved July 16, 2012, from
https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201270_01/PH_EDUC/NCATE_EDUC_8845_EDUC_7105/Module%204/Resources/Resources/embedded/siemensknowingknowledge.pdf
Siemens, G. (2008). Learning and Knowing in Networks:
Changing roles for Educators and Designers. Presented to the IT Forum.
Retrieved March 5, 2012, from
http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf
 |
| Learning Network Developed July 20, 2012
Siemens, G. (2006). Knowing Knowledge. Creative
Commons. Retrieved July 16, 2012, from
https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201270_01/PH_EDUC/NCATE_EDUC_8845_EDUC_7105/Module%204/Resources/Resources/embedded/siemensknowingknowledge.pdf
Siemens, G. (2008). Learning and Knowing in Networks:
Changing roles for Educators and Designers. Presented to the IT Forum.
Retrieved March 5, 2012, from
http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/Paper105/Siemens.pdf
|
Lyle, I notice that you approached your network somewhat differently than I. Your network is more personal, and consistes of people with names. My network is more generic. Meaning, it is organized around things. Groups of people, projects, internet tools.
ReplyDelete'Connectivism contends that knowledge is created with connections and networks' makes more sense to me than 'Connectivism contends that knowledge is composed of connections and networks.'
Hello Lyle,
ReplyDeleteYour mind map is very detailed. You have established a great amount of networks as they range from a variety of levels.
"the view of knowledge as composed of connections and networked entities" (Stephen Downes as quoted in Seimens, 2008, p. 10). Your comment makes a lot of sense so I went back to double check my reference. It seems like it boils down to whether knowledge exists in and of itself or if knowledge is created. I'm not sure if I know the answer to that. If might be both. what do you think?
ReplyDelete