Introduction to Connectivism

Presentation by

Michael Wilder

Contents

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

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

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

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.

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

Video Presentation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5-Wk2cwb68

George Siemens, University of Manitoba

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

Internet Hotlist

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

Internet Treasure Hunt

http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/huntconnectimi.html

Additional Resources

• An Introduction to Connective KnowledgeArticle 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

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

Credits/Contacts

This presentation made by:

Michael WilderLearning Technologies Specialist

E-mail | Web Site