Connectivism

My Link to: Connectivism Mind Map (click to view)
http://www.mywebspiration.com/publish.php?i=672248a5e29

Connectivism theory as defined by George Siemens, as a drive by which the individual understand that “decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations” (Siemens, 2005, para. 24).  Translate that as technology changes rapidly in today’s environment or as new information is discovered the learner must be able to filter though an overload of information to be able to determine the difference between important and unimportant information.  More importantly having the critical capability of realizing when new information becomes key altering previous made decisions.

Connectivism Theory is made up of a combination of three components: chaos theory, importance of networks, and the interplay of complexity and self-organization.

Chaos Theory:  Defining that related and unrelated events that seem uneventful; when study as a whole reveals patterns of relevance beyond the initial event itself, (Salmon, 1999, para. 5).  Creating what is referred to as “sensitive dependence on initial conditions” (1987, p.8).

Networks:  Analyzing rapid innovation of technology brings up a realism factor that we may no longer have to ability to learn and experience every part of a learning event and my creating networks will be able to share new ideas through developed communities and individual people expanding learning as a group; sharing viewpoint of learned experience bridging learning gap. (Siemens, 2005, para. 21).

Complexity and Self-Organization:  As Heylighen (2008) describes that learning is a balance of interactions that can’t be defined as only “order and disorder” but are based on the interacting agents and the degree of unpredictability and uncontrolled of the interaction that produces “global coordination and synergy”.  As defined by Luis Mateus Rocha (1998), she defines self-organization as a “spontaneous formation of well organized structures, patterns, or behaviors, from random initial conditions” (p.3).

As represented in my Connectivism Mind Map, I depict how my network has changed the way I now learn new information.  My mind map helped me to draw the conclusion the components of connectivism: Chaos, network and complexity/social-organization are being used by me to transfer knowledge.  My adventure starts with my “Social Network” that I can collaborate with them to clarify learning points and share ideas; bridging my learning gap with their personal knowledge and experience.  This diversity of individuals representing friends, and professional that toggles back and forth as mentors/coaches and friends/peers solidifying my understanding of the learning activity.  In this group environment allows me access to a knowledge based of information experts in field of my interest to ask questions and bump ideas off of them.  I utilize technology as my digital tools of YouTube, discussion board and Internet access to help me research information from other user to clarify information in my quest to seek knowledge.  Attending institution of higher learning, sharing case studies with other students allows me to also network gaining conformation of understanding as well as another perceptive of the information.  All of these tools within my network help me to address the complexities of learning.  As information changes the need to understand how to be flexible as a learner; understanding any decisions made today may no longer be correct tomorrow and that with technology is victim of “Half-Life”. With the capability to filter through important and unimportant information furthering my understanding of the new information. Tying all these components with my ability to “self-organizes” based on my learned behavior of my culture and the values that I have learned along the way; with my life learning experience allows me to draw from my interactive agents to learn new information.

In conclusion:  Connectivsm type of learning is useful and effective utilizing its components and is supported by my conclusion but I still prefer classroom environment guided by an instructor lead program.  This type of environment is most comfortable to me due to my limited “Social Network” in my new profession. 

• Web Article: Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology.Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism
  
• Blog: Connectivism: http://www.connectivism.ca/