A number of weeks back I posted on the topic of connectivism, one of several learning theories explored in my current graduate program at Walden University. Prior to taking my most recent course which focuses on learning theories and learning styles, my view on how I thought I learned, was pretty simplistic, “memory-recall”. A lot has changed in the past seven weeks and I have a new appreciation for the many learning theories and styles, some controversial and some just beginning to ‘pick up steam’.
That ‘simplistic view’ has given way to a theory liked connectivism which explains a lot of the way I feel I learn today. Dr. George Siemens is a proponent of this theory and says:
“connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based on rapidly altering foundations. New information is continually being acquired and the ability to draw distinctions between important and unimportant information is vital. Also critical is the ability to recognize when new information alters the landscape based on decisions made yesterday” (Davis, 2008)
Connectivism addresses the fast-paced world of today and how technology has impacted us like never before in history. This theory can be linked to the Internet age of today, facebook, google-reader, Twitter, online degree programs and many more entities reinforce Siemens’ opinion. In a previous post, I detailed the many ways we find information on the Internet and how we are only restricted by the limits we place on ourselves.
Upon evaluating other learning theories like Behaviorism, Cognitivism and Constructivism, it is difficult to say a number of these is not involved in our development, at some point. Behaviorism stresses what is learned is observable (Ormrod, 2009), while cognition stresses conceptual reflection and problem-solving (Ormrod, 2009). Constructivist theory expands upon cognition and stresses the importance of how our peers, the community and a mentor help us learn more than we could have on our own. (Ormrod, 2009)
Connectivism is a learning preference as is seems so natural a course in my daily routine. I sell access to an Internet database, my demonstrations are all Internet-driven and my outlets for news and other information is primarily web-based. So, though, I do not think about it that often, there is a ‘comfort zone’ with connectivism when I compare it to other learning theories. A lot has changed in the last twenty years, five years, heck, just in the past year we are learning more and more about the potential the Internet possesses for all us.
References
Davis, C, Edmunds, E, & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved December 20, 2009, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Ormrod, J., Schunk, D., & Gredler, M. (2009). Learning theories and instruction (Laureate custom edition). New York Pearson.
