Reading # 3 – Connectivism (Article on Blackboard) Assignment for March 7, 2009 - Submitted for March 27, 2009 Introduction -“Learning as Being” – An ongoing set of attitudes and actions of individuals and groups -Knowledge – Measured/slow v. exponential growth/fast. -“Half Life”- Defined as the time span when knowledge is gained to when it becomes obsolete. -Learning trends - Technology is altering (rewiring) our brains. -Processes are now offloaded and supported by technology. Background -Driscoll = “Persisting change in human performance.” = Learner’s experience + interaction with the world. -The Complexities of defining learning: -Valid knowledge sources -Knowledge Content -Epistemological tradition (traditional manner of how a person learns) -Objectivism (behaviorism) = “black box theory”; largely unknowable. -Pragmatism (cognitivism) = a computer information processing mod. -Interpretivism (constructivism) = create knowledge through exp. * Knowledge is attainable through reasoning or experience. Limitations - It does not address learning tat occurs outside of the people. - It fails to describe how learning happens within the organization. - Knowledge is acquired by drawing information from the outside of primary knowledge. (Synthesis of Knowledge) - Some questions to consider o How are learning theories impacted when knowledge is no longer acquired in a linear manner? o What is the impact of networks and complexity theories on learning? o How can we continue to stay currently in a rapidly evolving information ecology? Alternative Theory -Chaos = “redefined as finding and recognizing hidden patterns = meaning making and forming connections between specialized communities. -The ability to recognize and adjust to various pattern shifts. -Connecting knowledge with other forms of knowledge (For example: connecting suffering from a religious, psychological, and anthropological perspective) Networks, Small Worlds, Weak Ties -Connection between entities. -Connection between disparate ideas and fields can create new innovations (specific) -Weak ties (specific – i.e. teaching, law, medicine) v. Nodes (general knowledge) Connectivism -The integration of principles explored by chaos, network, complexity, and self-organization theories. -It is based on new information being acquired. -“Book knowledge” and experience v. Others’ “book knowledge” and experience. -Interdependence = effective flow of knowledge; connections in learning. Implications of Connectivism -Management/leadership = ideas to the implementation of systems. -Media, News, and Information via Blogging Conclusion 1. Our ability to learn what we need for tomorrow is more important than what we know today. 2. The challenge is to “actuate” our known knowledge at the point of its own application. For example, using ideas learned at CAST program classes in the actual classrooms where we teach our lessons. 3. Interdependence of individual knowledge and others’ knowledge. |