Connectivism

The concept of a network has intrigued me for years.   The process of having a set of connections mandated on you for survival in the professional arena was a little intimidating at first.  I thought the whole concept was idiotic to say the least as I observed colleagues making a life out of “Who do you know?” or “You need to know, so and so, if you want to move ahead.”    

However, over the years I have learned to appreciate how the right networks can alter your career if not your life!  Especially in learning networks.  Since departing on my graduate journey over the last decade, my learning network has become a indispensable part of my knowledge portal  – much more than in my undergraduate degree.

Downes (2012) states connectivism is the thesis that knowledge is distributed across a network of connections, and therefore that learning consists of the ability to construct and traverse those networks.  Siemens (2004) (as cited in Knop, 2008) states, “A community is the clustering of similar areas of interest that allows for interaction, sharing, dialoguing, and thinking together.”  Through the use of technology, I have been the recipient of knowledge by demand as a result of  a diverse learning network at my fingertips.   With technology such as YouTube, I bring experts from instructional design into my home to share short lesson plans.  Or the ability to reach out to colleague via LinkedIn or e-mail to weigh in and have dialogue on a current project is inestimable.  My ability to receive such knowledge swiftly and interact from a network of connections in my field of study not only keeps my learning network active, but also includes array of colleagues and professionals that I would have never had the pleasure of meeting or researching.  

Connectivism has become an academic support system for a large part of my knowledge gathering.  Through connectivism it is not such much “Who do you know?” It is more of what learning communities can you participate in to receive and give back value. Knop, (2008) states, “One’s personal learning network is formed on the basis of how one’s connection to learning communities are organized by a learner.”  Through a carefully constructing and organized professional learning network, I am able to consistently learn and grow feeding my mind long after my academic requirements have been met.   

References:

Downes, S. (2012).  Connectivism and Connective knowledge. Essays on Meaning and Learning Networks.  Retrieved July, 28, 2012 from  http://www.downes.ca/files/Connective_Knowledge-19May2012.pdf

Kop, R. (2008). Connectivism: Learning Theory of the Future or Vestige of Past.  Journal of International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 3(9),   Retrieved July 28, 2012 from http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/523/1103