Making use of a learner’s external brain!
What is Connectivism?
Connectivism is being presented as the fourth main learning theory. Developed by George Siemens and Stephen Downes, it came to prominence in 2005 with Siemen’s work: Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. It differentiates itself from the other learning theories in that it is impacted by the technology of today.
With the rise of the Internet and distributed means of delivering and accessing information, Connectivism claims knowledge can now be stored both in a learner’s brain and in these distributed digital networks. It’s not just what you know, but what digital networks you have cultivated and your ability to access and process the information that resides on them.
Why use Connectivism?
Learners have started to call the internet “my external brain!”
With so much instant and constantly updating information available, it is not feasible to store it in one’s brain. Connectivism is centered on building your own networks of digital information, much in the same way your brain makes connections to information. Connectivism shifts the construction of neural network building inside the brain to the digital platforms learners use every day.
How can I implement Connectivism?
A common method to implement a Connectivist approach to learning is through a Massively Open Online Course (MOOC). These online courses have minimal barriers to entry, are usually free, have a huge enrolment and contain minimal trainer-led content. It is mainly curated content from the Internet such as readings and videos, and leans heavily on the peer-to-peer interaction on the MOOC platform. This includes assessment where learners partake in online tests and activities and provide student-to-student feedback. Another key method for learners to use Connectivist strategies is to develop a Personal Learning Network (PLN) of digital resources (such as Twitter, LinkedIn and online discussion forums) that they can use at their time of need.
Methods to include Connectivism elements into your teaching include:
- Use an online platform to provide an open course (e.g. Moodle)
- Curate content for your learners
- Provide peer-assessment activities
- Promote use of online discussion boards
- Encourage learners to build a PLN
Pros: Curating content is fast and cost effective. Encouraging learners to build a PLN empowers them to problem solve and identify useful sources of information.
Cons: MOOCs have notoriously low completion rates and learners can feel isolated due to a lack of direction and support.