Connectivism: A theory for

today’s learning? Gráinne Conole

Seminar on ‘Knowing knowledge’ by George Siemens9th July 2008

Outline

• Overview of key points

• Questions raised

• Implications for SocialLearn

Themes

• To conceptualise learning & knowing as connection-based processes

• To explore the nature of change

• To explore the changing nature of knowledge

• To present knowledge as a context-game

• To present a new model for space & structure

Pg. viii

Knowledge has changed

Create & share

non-linearity

Industrial product

Knowledge flow

Categories/hierarchies

Networks/ecologies

Connections change content

Knowledge a function of

the network

Connectivism is a theory describing how learning happens in a digital age.

Emphasises the networking affordances of technologies. How does learning change

when knowledge growth is overwhelming and technology replaces many basic task

we have perviously preformed?

Knowing knowledge: 30

Principles

• Learning & knowledge - diversity of opinions

• Learning as process of connection

• ‘Tools’ as extensions of ourselves & our learning

• Importance of nuturing networks

• Seeing connections as key digital skill

• Currency of knowledge

Pg. 31

Societal trends

Pg 71

Characteristics of knowledge

Pg 80

The knowledge flow cycle

Pg 7

Traits of learning

Pg 28

Pg 29

Pg 32

Context is central

Pg 34

Pg 39

Implications for learning

• Consume media

• Authenticate knowledge

• Express ideas

• Relate to information

• Cope with intensity

• Consume learning content

• Assessment

• Peer dialogue

• Media mix

• Workload/expectations

Society Education

Pg 4

Type Purpose Why Good for Drawbacks Tools

Formal

Gaming

Mentor

Community-based

Informal

Map for SocialLearn?

Map to microcosms? Pg.40

ABOUT

TO DO

TO TRANSFORMWHERE

TO BE

Pg. 10

Praxis

Awareness

Connection

Involvement Recognition

Meaning

Pg 45

Anchoring

Coping with uncertainty

Navigating

Pattern recognition

Critical & creative thinking

Evaluating

Deriving meaning

Creating

Connecting

Filtering

Contextualising

Socialising

Connectivism skills

Pg 113

Issues

• Digital divide narrower but deeper

• Power balances still exist

• The loss of reflection

• Value of slow learning

• Making sense of complexity

Questions• What are the implications of:

• adopting a networked view of learning?

• know where/who more important than what/how?

• knowledge as process not product?

• shift from focus on content to connections?

• How can we describe new digital spaces & structures?