Connectivisim

For the next assignment in Walden U class, I have to discuss how my network connections help to facilitate learning.  I can remember when I was in elementary and middle school having to do research papers and using an encyclopedia off a book shelf.  How times have changed. As so perfectly stated by Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008), “new technology forces the 21st century learner to process and apply information in a very different way and at a very different pace from any other time in history.

Now that I am an adult learner, I have so many resources at my disposal.  Granted a lot of it is due to the awesome developments in technology.  Who would have thought that research would have been as easy as turning on the computer, going to a website such as Google or Bing, typing in search terms and then almost magically pages and pages or website links appear to discuss that one set of search terms.  Amazing!

When I have questions I do a variety of things. First and foremost I will use an internet search engine to help find answers.  I will also use the internet itself for specific websites to help gather information.  Thirdly, I have a very strong and positive support system made up of my brother and many friends who are always on the lookout for articles regarding what I am studying.  I will occasionally receive text messages or emails embedded with links to these articles with the messages of “you’ll love this” or “got to read”.  This has become actually something I look forward to.  I am also lucky enough that they will include a link to something humorous when I am feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.

 Unbeknownst to me, until this class, my learning style or theory of my learning style shadows a learning theory referred to as “connectivism”.  According to Siemens (2005), “connectivism is driven by the understanding that decisions are based upon rapidly altering foundations.”   Of course there are critics who are quick to squash this new theory of connectivism, as many of them do not like the idea of “what is right today might be wrong tomorrow.” (Kerr, 2006).

Those who enjoy doing so will continue to debate and compare theories, learning styles and so on from now until the end of time.  Some people will be cemented in their beliefs and won’t budge on their thinking, while others will have the insight to at least consider other learning theories.  All I know is regardless of what learning theory applies to me, I am just grateful that I have the capacity to learn and I was taught the value of a good education.