George Siemens Connectivism Learning Theory & Examples

Connectivism Learning Theory For The Digital Age

What is Connectivism Theory?

Connectivism can be defined as a learning theory that emphasizes the role of content in connecting new information to existing knowledge.

Connectivism is a relatively new learning theory. It has been derived from cognitive and social constructivist theories of learning in order to provide a framework for analyzing the way knowledge is constructed by individuals.

Connectivism is an educational philosophy with a focus on learning through creativity and interaction. It is built on the idea that knowledge and skills are in constant change and that students need to learn how to learn.

The common belief among adherents to connectivism is that knowledge is not fixed but in motion – its form and content are generated by the constantly changing world.

It differs from other theories, such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and social constructivism, emphasizing connections between individual pieces of information rather than their representation within an individual’s memory.

George Siemens Connectivism Learning Theory

Connectivism Learning Theory (also known as Connective Knowledge) is a learning theory that posits that all knowledge is interconnected. It was developed by George Siemens, Stephen Downes, and Dave Cormier around 2001 and has become the foundation for online education in areas such as e-learning and edX courses.

Learning can be defined as the acquisition of knowledge, skills, or competencies through experience. Connectivism has its roots in cognitive theories such as constructivism and also extends from theories like distributed intelligence and social constructionism.

Principles of Connectivism Learning Theory

Connectivism is a model of how a person learns. It is based on the idea that humans have a natural desire to make connections between things and that learning is an active process. Connectivism involves four core principles:

• The human brain is wired to make connections between things.
• Learning is an active process.
• Learning is a creative, constructive, and dynamic process.
• Learning is not confined to a particular place or time.

Connectivism Learning As Network Creation

Connectivism is a learning theory and is the antithesis of the top-down, expert-led formal style of learning. It is also less “linear” and more “networking” in that it fosters connections and associations among previously isolated pieces of knowledge.

Connectivism uses the internet and the World Wide Web to create opportunities for learners and experts to connect and interact with one another.

How Is Connectivism Used or Applied In The Classroom?

In a connective learning environment, learners are not passive recipients but are required to be involved in the knowledge acquisition process as they engage in discussions, seek information, and share opinions with peers.

In a classroom, knowledge is co-created and shared between peers, not held by a single learner after receiving it from the course materials or the teacher. The learning process provides a connection between and between learners, as their knowledge creation depends on each other’s contribution to the discussion.

Collaborative learning processes thus help students improve higher-level thought skills and achieve richer knowledge generation through shared expectations, shared discovery, and a shared process of meaning-making.

Implications of Connectivism Learning in Education

 Educators are becoming critical experimenters with new methods and resources for Connectivism.

One of the advantages of more widespread experimentation with social media is that pragmatic, critical consumers will find successful and sound academic uses rather than use technology for its novelty.

Extending the variety of media in which students apply (and even publish) their work.

Not only can students look for sources in different media, but they can also submit work in different formats. Even if we’re not ready to replace essays with images, we might use blogs or photo workbooks to document the process for reflective reports or journals.

Encouraging and encouraging students to venture beyond institutional boundaries.

One of the implications of students being linked learners is that learning would not be limited to physical classrooms or virtual classrooms inside the Virtual Learning Environment Institution.

Students will absorb and create social media ‘in the wild,’ whether we like it or not. Instead of seeing this as a challenge, we should collaborate with students as they develop the 21st Century Learning Skills that are required to make successful use of innovations that are evolving for use in classrooms and workplaces.

Make education services more freely accessible.

Another implication of the connectivist approach is that we expect to find tools that are free and accessible to use, often with Creative Commons licenses that allow us to distribute, build and remix media legally.

What Is The Role Of The Teacher In Connectivism?

Connectivism is a teaching approach that takes different types of media into account. It is typically referred to as “the act of making connections in different ways.”

It is frequently seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage to using this approach. An advantage of using connectivism is that this approach allows a teacher to combat digital divides.

Educators and teachers become critical experimenters with new methods and resources for Connectivism. Again, the teacher’s role is to lead and encourage students to venture beyond institutional boundaries.

Connectivism, within the field of networks, is a form of learning that utilizes the connections between ideas to learn through the connections themselves.

The idea of connectivism is to have an open-ended discussion of a problem and allow the connections to draw conclusions. Connectivism is a form of knowledge that doesn’t rely on a singular origin but rather on many connections.

Examples of  Connectivism in the Classroom

Connectivism is a learning theory that suggests that knowledge is not transmitted from the teacher to the student but instead constructed by both parties through social interaction and shared experience.

Connectivism in education can be seen as an alternative to more traditional teaching models where information is delivered from one person to another.

 Examples of connectivist pedagogies in the classroom include peer-to-peer learning, collaborative projects, and problem-solving.

Note that online courses, webinars, and dedicated forums are mainstays of connectivism learning. The first step to creating a connectivism classroom is to introduce technology that complements and strengthens learning.

Another element in connectivism is freedom. Giving students autonomy in their work can create a higher sense of ownership. It also encourages collaboration and better team working amongst the class.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Connectivism Learning Theory

Strengths & Advantages of Connectivism Learning Theory

• The strengths of connectivism are that it is a democratic and open-source approach to knowledge.
• It can be used as an alternative to traditional teaching methods.
• Connectivism is not limited by time or space, meaning the learner has access to all information at any point in their life.
• Connectivism does not have one central authority who determines what content is taught and how it should be learned; instead, each individual learner decides which resources they want to learn from and how they want to learn them.
• Another Strength is that Connectivism is a theory of learning that emphasizes the importance of social connections and networks in constructing knowledge.
• It also argues for learners’ emphasis as co-creators, rather than passive recipients, in their own education.
• Connectivism is a powerful and unique way to learn because it allows people to create their own knowledge.

Weaknesses & Disadvantages of Connectivism Learning Theory

• Weaknesses of connectivism are that there may be no clear path for learners because there are so many different learning methods available.
• The connectivism learning theory has been criticized for not providing a clear definition of what it means by “knowledge.
• Connectivism does not provide any guidance in terms of what should be learned, so the learner has no direction.