1. Connectivism:A Learning Theory Prepared By: Birte Boock and James Stewart For AQ Fall 2011-2012 Online Teaching and Learning

2. What it is A new theory positing that learning andknowledge are based on networks think ofthis course, the Internet, and othercommunication devices that have explodedin our times. Knowledge is universal and available to allthrough data networks (nodes) linkinglearners, allowing natural, collaborativeinformation sharing and knowledgebuilding. Learning takes place in a constant state offlux and that must always be taken intoaccount. 3. Impact on Learners Learning is having a curious mind, actively makingdecisions, a life long process, which is an end initself. Learning isseeing, making, maintaining, connections, consistently striving to connect fields, ideas, and concepts. Learning is knowing and growing, always aiming toadd to that which is already known. 4. Impact on Teachers Teachers need to be aware of the technology andknowledge available to them and their students and useit. Students will drive their own learning because of theconnections available today to knowledge networks. Engagement from the teacher in the network isimportant. The learning is the network. Learning istheNetwork 5. From the research New learning environments are informing present and futuretrends from which both educators and students stand tobenefit. Moreover, the way in which global networks andcommunities of interest are currently being formed throughemerging technologies is encouraging young people, inparticular, to develop new, creative, and different forms ofcommunication and knowledge creation outside formaleducation.-Rita Copp and Adrian Hill (2008) (before Twitter took off!) 6. The Future Is Now Principal theorists are Canadians: George Siemens andStephen Downes of the University of ManitobaSome Key Sources:1. International Review of Research on Open and Distance Learning (http://.irrodl.org)2. http://elearnspace.org/media/WhatIsConnectivism/pl ayer.html3. http://www.slideshare.net/Downes/xmooc-the- massive-open-online-course-in-theory-and-in-practice